Skip to content
Sep 30

I Am Not Going Anywhere….YET!

by Tony L. Atayde
5,759 Views | 368 Comments

Ateneo played a gritty game and wanted to take no chances. After a slow start and allowing La Salle to take an early 7 point lead, the Blue Eagles just would not give up and even overtook La Salle in the first quarter. La Salle however came back and ended the quarter ahead by 1 point.

With Norman Black looking for combinations to match up against La Salle’s sticky defense Ateneo could just not find a way to break it. But Ateneo kept La Salle scoreless in the first 3 minutes of the 2nd quarter and took the lead which they managed to keep……wait….what am I doing here?

Forget this politically correct write-up I was going to make. In front of a crowd of more than 23,000 people, La Salle won the game 65-60 and is now in the finals. HOW SWEET IT IS! First it was 2 is better than 1. Now it’s 2 is better than 3.

Coach Franz Pumaren promised a victory and the whole Lasallian community got what we wanted. Pumaren outcoached a befuddled Norman Black, who just could not find a combination to break the patent Franz Pumaren defense. Black was given a lesson on the difference between college and PBA coaching.

There were 2 things La Salle did today that made a difference. The first and foremost was excellent game clock management and second the players executed what the coach instructed.

When the 2 minute mark was called by the barker and La Salle up by 7, the tension on the La Salle side was so thick, you could cut it with a knife.

It was the best end game that the Green Archers had played all year. They did not hurry the shot and took the ball to the basket. With less than a minute to go and La Salle up by 5, Ateneo’s Baclao hits a 3 that cut the lead to 2.

The turning point of the game was when La Salle was up by 2, takes a shot and Pocholo Villanueva grabbing the offensive rebound. He brought the ball back to midcourt before running down the clock and then making the 2 pointer from the side. Ateneo couldn’t get a basket on their offense and La Salle would get the defensive rebound.

This is where Black really messed up. Ateneo was not in penalty. When a team is down by 5 with 2 minutes to go, the team behind should be in penalty because it is the only way you can get the ball back. La Salle is known for its foul shooting woes but Black could not take advantage of it. When Ateneo finally committed 3 successive fouls to get into penalty, they fouled OJ Cua, who missed both his shots. But it was too late. Ateneo could not make a shot. They fouled JV Casio and he hit his 2 foul shots.

After his awful last game, Pocholo Villanueva finally showed the leadership and experience that was expected of him. He was the player who managed that game clock in the end game. TY Tang took Villanueva’s cue and masterfully directed the offense.

Also having a great game was PJ Walsham. He did not take bad shots but instead concentrated on rebounds and defending the inside, which is what that bulk and size he has is best put to use. He kept Ford Arao stifled and ineffective.

Bader Malabes, though offensively still a feast or famine player, made up for it on the defensive end by taking Chris Tiu totally out of sync. Tiu just could not break free as Malabes stuck to him like bread on butter.

Two players who also gave quality minutes were OJ Cua and Ferdinand. Cua hit some clutch shots in the early going and stood his ground on defense. Ferdinand, who is becoming my favorite player, is a boy in a man’s body but today he showed that he will be a vital cog in La Salle’s future.

Not to be forgotten are TY Tang, JV Casio and Rico Maeirhofer. Tang, who took the entire 2 rounds of the regular season to finally break out had fire in his eyes today. From the opening toss you could see he wanted this game more than anyone else.

The mild mannered Casio, who has been nursing a injury for the last 3 games, may not have hit most his step back 3s but it was the intangibles that made him so effective. His gutsy drives to the basket and his pesky defense will make Salamat and Escueta have nightmares for days to come.

Rico Maierhofer, who was playing with a severely sprained ankle, fought for the rebounds and made the inside plays when it counted. His presence alone under the basket is enough to intimidate the offense.

Lastly, what can one say about Coach Franz Pumaren? Every time they count him out, he pulls a rabbit out the hat. Everytime he has lemons, he makes great tasting lemonade. This team was counted out. Some were calling for his head. But he just keeps finding a way to make La Salle a consistent powerhouse in the UAAP.

This will be a season that Ateneo can call the “WHAT IF SEASON�. What if they beat FEU in the first round? What if they beat NU in their last game? What if they won one of those close games against UE? What if it would not have been a step ladder but a Final Four? What if they won today? The fact of the matter is that they now have a year to think about their season while La Salle is in the finals.

To many of us proud Lasallians, this is one year that winning the finals will be icing on the cake.

ANIMO LA SALLE!

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Related posts
Rate this article
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (4 votes, average: 4.25 out of 5)
Loading ... Loading ...

Posted in The Green Mind

Comments

Pages: « 13 12 11 [10] 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 … 1 » Show All

  • berde  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 4:06 pm

    anak ng pula ang greenmanure: mag-on ba kayong dalawa? yiheeee! aminin!

  • berde  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 4:05 pm

    Green Archer: Nice one! lutong nun pare! squatters! hehehe…. greenmanure and anak ng pula… cge, tira lang ng tira! hehehe… gustong gusto namin yan dahil ibig sabihin, maraming naiiinggit sa amin… mga inngitero! wohooo! Go La Salle!

  • Bravehearted  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 3:50 pm

    Green Archer
    Thursday, 4th October 2007 at 3:33 pm

    ATENEO? #488 DUH?! Win or Lose it’s the school you choose! where are the Ateneans now? Oh there they are tryin to burry their heads in shame.

    LOSERS! LOSERS! LOSERS!LOSERS!LOSERS!LOSERS!LOSERS!
    LOSERS!LOSERS!LOSERS!LOSERS!LOSERS!

    THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL, THE LOSER STANDING SMALL!

    D-L-S-U ANIMO LA SALLE!!

    UE WARRIORS - Squatters!!!
    ——
    talks like a typical shameless Lasallian.

  • Green Archer  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 3:33 pm

    ATENEO? #488 DUH?! Win or Lose it’s the school you choose! where are the Ateneans now? Oh there they are tryin to burry their heads in shame.

    LOSERS! LOSERS! LOSERS!LOSERS!LOSERS!LOSERS!LOSERS!
    LOSERS!LOSERS!LOSERS!LOSERS!LOSERS!

    THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL, THE LOSER STANDING SMALL!

    D-L-S-U ANIMO LA SALLE!!

    UE WARRIORS - Squatters!!!

  • greenmanure  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 3:13 pm

    hawag mo nalang pansinin anak ng pula. intindihin nlang natin nakakaawa naman. ugaling askalasalle kasi.

  • ANAK_NG_PULA  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 2:55 pm

    inutil tong si berde… magladlad ka nalang BAKLANG KALABAW!!!

  • ANAK_NG_PULA  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 2:52 pm

    baka naglalasalle lasallan lang yan! sabagay maraming ganyan sa la salle…

  • greenmanure  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 2:36 pm

    astabading ka berde. dinudumihan mo reputasyon ng la salle. isa kang walang breeding wala ka bang pinagaralan? ganyan ba tinuturo ng la salle sa mga taong ka2lad mo. your school reflects on you. pity you. cguro transferee ka no from other school ugaling askal ka kasi.

  • berde  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 2:30 pm

    ANAK NG PULA: Fight your face!

  • berde  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 2:29 pm

    GREENMANURE: username mo palang, wala nang urbanidad eh…

  • berde  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 2:27 pm

    GREENMANURE: You Saaaaaaaaaaak!

  • berde  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 2:26 pm

    ei austrolophiticus africanus greenmanure! wag kang pakialamero… you go back to your own cave…. pweh!

  • ANAK_NG_PULA  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 2:02 pm

    RED WARRIORS FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

  • Bravehearted  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 2:01 pm

    correction= “to compensate for”

  • ANAK_NG_PULA  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 1:59 pm

    SUPORTAHAN PO NATIN ANG UE RED WARRIORS! FROM REDMEDIA PRODUCTION

  • Bravehearted  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 1:58 pm

    self proclaimed superiors mga yan (DLRT),
    they need it to compensate to their school’s
    worst reputation.
    but still kelangan pa rin nila ng reality check, because kala nila mababago pa nila ang kasaysayan.
    bulok na nga reputasyon, lakas pa ng loob magmalaki!
    ahahaha!

  • BANGKAW  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 1:30 pm

    KARAMIHAN NG PLAYERS NAMIN GRADUATE NG HIGH SCHOOL. E SAINYO DINAYA! AT ALAM NA RIN NAMIN YUN NA WALA KAYONG RESPETO! BWAHARHARHARHAR! DAHIL TAGA LA SALLE KAYO!
    BWAHARHARHAR!

  • greenmanure  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 1:30 pm

    ei cro magnon berde ang java man green archer go back to your cave where you belong. uncivilized species!

  • Bravehearted  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 1:23 pm

    about leveling,

    napansin ko nga,
    dlrt—basagulero ba?
    —mandurugas ba?
    —hambog ba?
    —shameless nga ba?

    ***oh gee, it’s some kinda class nga!

  • greenthumb  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 1:16 pm

    WALA NG RESPECT-RESPECT PA SA UE! TALUNIN NA ANG MGA YAN! NGAYON HAPON DIN!

  • Green Archer  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 12:47 pm

    Hi Berde,
    Thanks for the heads-up. I appreciate it. However, don’t use the phrase one big fight. It belongs to our Atenean friends. Just a feedback. You are right berde, we will get Game 1. Let’s go Archers, Let’s go!

  • nris nyu  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 12:36 pm

    berde:

    what a moronic boastful attitude you have… for sure your team will be in the rouster of ousters… how I wish you will be beaten twice by UE

  • berde  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 12:30 pm

    nris nyu:

    You invented the word ANIMO? how galing naman you are…

  • Green Archer  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 12:29 pm

    We didn’t copy anything. Animo just fits best with La Salle. People think of La Salle first when they hear Animo. We are aware that San Beda and Ateneo use it. No offense to you sir. We say that with respect. I’m just being realistic. It’s just so natural to hear Animo La Salle!

  • berde  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 12:27 pm

    green archer… its time to make peace with these imbeciles… wasting time on them only lends credence to their cheap bantering… let’s see kung makahirit pa sila after we win on the court… Go La Salle! One Big Fight! Go La Salle Go Lasalle Go Go Go Go Go La Salle!

  • nris nyu  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 12:24 pm

    Talking about Animo, Im sure you copied the word from us! That’s a fact!

  • Green Archer  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 12:18 pm

    Nice talking friend, but I guess we will never meet avenues. We just don’t belong at the same level.

  • Green Archer  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 12:16 pm

    No matter how nice we Lasallites are, we can’t really understand the envy of the masa.

  • Bravehearted  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 11:57 am

    by the way tama ka rin,
    walang kulay ang isang storya, kung walang kinaiinisan o pinagtatawanang kontrabida.
    ahahaha!

  • Bravehearted  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
    Thursday, 4 October 2007 at 11:50 am

    yes,
    as you may say that you are not shallow,
    but how come that you could enjoy the UAAP games while “WASAK” na nga reputation ng school nyo,
    di naman nakakainggit ang gumagawa ng pandaraya,
    di naman nakakainggit ang nanununtok ng talikuran,
    di naman nakakainggit ang ma-SUSpended,
    di naman din nakakainggit ang mag-spell ng mali,
    lalo na at di nakakainggit ang napagtatawanan,
    so paano naman napasok ang salitang “envy”?
    Marami pa ang karapat dapat na kainggitan
    (pero sin yun), but “definitely” not to dlrt.
    Sulit sana yun pagmamayabang kung karapat dapat.
    (truth hurts)

Pages: « 13 12 11 [10] 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 … 1 » Show All

Leave a Comment

(Required)

(Required) hidden

Trackback this post  |  Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed

Tony L.
Tony L. Atayde

Very Opinionated. Very Green. Hate him. Love Him. It does not matter and he does not care. A Howard Stern in cyberspace. He bleeds Green, He is purely from La Salle – as a former writer and Assistant Vice President for Events of the DLSU Alumni Association. Played basketball and was on the track and field team for La Salle during the NCAA just don't ask what year.