Lady Archers fall to NU Lady Bulldogs in UAAP Finals Game One

screen-shot-2016-12-03-at-9-30-22-pm

In the Game One of the UAAP Finals, the Lady Archers succumb to the NU Lady Bulldogs, 74-77.

In the first Finals game against the archrivals NU Lady Bulldogs, the DLSU Lady Archers seem to struggle to get past NU’s defense. However, momentum swung to the Taft squad as Claro and Peñaranda contributed back-to-back baskets that gave them a one-point lead. The Lady Archers also took advantage of their good ball movement as rookie Arciga was able to score with a help from Claro. The first quarter ended with a tally of 19-20.

In the second quarter, NU made it hard for the Lady Archers to score as they pressured them with a man-to-man defense. The Bulldogs continued to challenge the Archers on both ends of the floor, rendering them scoreless until Claro launched a trey. From theng, momentum swung over to La Salle as Revilosa went for the transition basket and Penarañda once again ties the game at 26 all with five minutes left in the quarter. From then, the Archers went on a rampage, ending the first half at 39-28.

The NU Lady Bulldogs were able to catch up with the Green and White, as they managed to trim down the Taft squad’s 11-point lead to a three-point lead. Despite that, resilient Lady Archer Peñaranda tried to extend the lead with a basket. The Lady Bulldogs continued to capitalize on their defense, leaving the Taft squad little to no room to score. Revillosa’s back-to-back baskets ended the drought, however it was not enough to get past the Lady Bulldogs. The third quarter concluded with a 49-56 tally.

In the final quarter, baskets from Peñaranda and Castillo helped the team stay afloat, but due to NU’s aggressiveness, the Green and White still trailed. Claro’s trey decreased the deficit to nine points, and this became the start of the Taft squad’s scoring run. Castillo followed suit and buried three consecutive treys of her own. With just a minute left in the game, Claro pitched in a trey that turned NU’s lead to just a point. Despite the Taft squad’s impressive baskets, it was still not enough as the game ended at 74-77.

Castillo led the team with 18 points and 3 rebounds. Peñaranda contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Claro kept the game going with 15 points and 7 rebounds.

Teng hits game-winner to lift La Salle over Ateneo in Game One of UAAP Finals

dsc_7640

Photo by: Flavius Dulce

When the game is on the line, give it to the King Archer.

Team Captain Jeron Teng came up big once again for the De La Salle University Green Archers as he delivered the winning basket and blocked Ateneo de Manila University’s Aaron Black’s potential game-winner to draw first blood in a nerve-wracking Game 1 of the UAAP Season 79 Men’s Basketball Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena, Saturday.

Even though he was in foul trouble, Teng did not hesitate to attack the basket for his last two points of the game, putting La Salle on the driver’s seat, 66-65, with just 15 ticks remaining.

“I had to step up,” Teng said, “I wasn’t getting my flow in the game and kailangan ko lang bumawi sa defense.”

6’7 Center Ben Mbala led the Taft-based squad with a huge double-double, 23 points and 15 rebounds. Aljun Melecio tallied 12 markers, all of which came from beyond the arc, and four assists while Teng scored 10 and dished out fours dimes as well.

DLSU asserted their dominance early, suffocating the Blue Eagles with their ‘Mayhem’ defense. Teng muscled his way inside to put themselves up, 10-2, with 5:48 to go in the first canto. The Green and White did not put their foot off the glass pedal as they unleashed a 10-0 run capped off by a Abu Tratter free throw. The Green Archers topped ADMU, 19-6, after the quarter.

Aaron Black helped Ateneo fight back with a three-point play to cut the deficit to four, 22-26, with 4:33 to play in the second period. However, the Green Archers zoomed to another 10-2 run to lead the Eagles at halftime, 36-26.

In the third frame, ADMU turned aggressive driving to the lane. John Wong drilled a mid-range jumper to inch themselves closer, 39-42. Matthew Nieto split his free throws to tie the game at 52-all heading into the fourth,

The final quarter went tit-for-tat as both teams exchanged huge baskets down the stretch. Matthew Nieto banked in a basket plus the foul. He missed the bonus but it was good enough to push the Blue Eagles ahead, 65-64. Then, Teng took over. He scored a layup and deflected Black’s shot in the dying seconds of the game to take game one of the UAAP Finals.

Black was the only player that scored in double digits for Coach Tab Baldwin with 12 points. Wong added nine, while Thirdy Ravena, Chibueze Ikeh, and Matt Nieto all chipped in eight.

DLSU is a win away to win it all! Game 2 is on December 7, Wednesday, 3:30pm  at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We have to be able to sustain the same intensity from the beginning until the end and we have to be able to execute whatever type of defense they throw at us,” Mbala said.

Box scores:

DLSU 67 – Mbala 20, Melecio 12, Teng 10, Sargent 7, Torres 5, Montalbo 4, Tratter 3, P. Rivero 3, R. Rivero 3, Caracut 1, Perkins 0, Baltazar 0

ADMU 65 – Black 12, Wong 9, Ravena 8, Ikeh 8, Mi. Nieto 8, Go 6, Ma. Nieto 5, Verano 5, Asistio 2, Tolentino 2, Mendoza 0, Porter 0

 

 

Lady Archers oust Lady Warriors to clinch Finals berth

15280987_823640657774401_1964578206_n

A team that suffered from back-to-back losses in the Final Four even with a twice-to-beat advantage for the past two seasons. This time around, they eluded the same fate and finally clawed their way back to redemption.

The De La Salle University Lady Archers booked a ticket to the finals after knocking out the University of the East Lady Warriors in dominating fashion, 72-50,  in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 79 Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Wednesday.

“We got over the psychological hump of the Final Four, having the twice-to-beat advantage for the past two years,” head coach Cholo Villanueva said.

Khate Castillo caught fire in the game as she paced La Salle with 23 points, 15 from deep, and six rebounds against three turnovers. Camille Claro added 13 markers, while Bennette Revillosa and Chay Vergara chipped in 10 apiece.

La Salle’s bench outscored UE’s, 27-3, while also taking advantage of points off turnovers and perimeter points, 27-6 and 32-12, respectively.

UE was aggressive on both ends of the floor to start the game. They defended DLSU with a zone that switched to a man-to-man defense once the Green side swung the ball on the wings to confuse the offensive attack of the Lady Archers. However, the Taft-based squad was able to keep themselves within striking distance, only falling behind by one, 15-16, after the first period.

The Lady Archers turned the tides in the second canto as they countered with their suffocating full-court pressure defense that put the Lady Warriors in a scoring drought, 15-2. The Green and White continued to display their constant ball and player movements that brought them ahead, 30-18, at halftime.

15319595_823640654441068_851492831_n

It was a walk in the park for Coach Villanueva’s crew in the third quarter, stepping on the gas pedal  capped off by a Claro free throw that pushed the lead to as high as 24, 46-22, with 3:34 left.

The Lady Warriors tried to fight back as Ruthlaine Tacula sank three charities to trim the lead down to 16, 52-36, early in the fourth frame. However, Castillo  shrugged off the UE run with a booming trey to bring the edge back to 21, 63-42, to put the icing on the cake for DLSU.

No other player scored in double figures for the ladies in red aside from Love Sto. Domingo, who led UE with a double-double output, scoring 22 points and grabbing 10 boards.

La Salle will face the National University Lady Bulldogs that sealed an outright finals seat after sweeping the elimination rounds. This will also be the first finals stint for the Lady Archers under the tutelage of their sophomore head coach.

“They have the advantage, but for us again, it’s everything to learn from us [and] everything to gain,” coach Villanueva said, “but we want to gain experience winning.” he added.

 

Green Archers book a seat in the Finals, Ayo unhappy despite win

15218742_819359501535850_926933562_n

 

A wait that took what seemed to be forever in the end proved worth every bruise, every bump and every cut. This is it! Finals! We knew it was coming and it was wondrous when it did. After two years of disappointment, the Green Archers stormed once again into the UAAP Finals after defeating the Adamson Falcons 69-64.

However, the final score did not tell the tale of the game. While we all rejoice that the team is back in the finals, one man is unhappy with how the boys played today. Despite the win, “Horrible game” is how Ayo described today’s battle. “How many chances [yung Adamson] nung closing. Hindi nakapag box out. Ang daming [binigay] na second chance points. Binigay lang saamin [yung panalo]. Hindi naming kinuha to. Hindi naming pinagpursigihan. We were complacent eh. We did not execute.”

Ayo was very disappointed with how the Archers played today, especially with their assists and turnovers. The Taft-based squad only had three assists in the entire game and committed a whopping 26 turnovers. “Pag may TV na, pag may camera, bakit pag may crowd na, nagbabago ang laro ng mga bata? Bakit may players na ayaw mag pasa pag may TV na or pag may camera? Yan ang problema namin pare.”

In the first few minutes of the first quarter, the Archers seemed in control of the ball game. Teng and Mbala were able to power through Adamson’s defense and they kept the Falcons on their toes on the defensive end. Then all of a sudden, Adamson started clicking. Fortunately for La Salle, they were still able to answer, 22-20 at the end of the first.

The second quarter was mayhem, but not the kind Ayo wanted the team to employ. The Taft-based squad committed turnover after turnover and were in penalty early in the quarter. Fortunately, with a few minutes left, the Archers were able to adjust and Montalbo, Teng and Mbala were able to pull through, 37-33 at the half.

Every time the Archers looked like they were starting to get things going, turnovers would plague them once again. This allowed the Falcons to keep within striking distance, even allowing them to take a one-point lead coming into the final quarter.

“Coming into the finals, we don’t want our team to play like this.” Ayo shook his head as he addressed the media in the press room. “Marami pa kaming kailangan pagtrabahuhan. Very odd eh. Final four na eh, bakit ganito? Kailangan talaga naming mag improve.”

Jeron Teng led all scorers with 25 points, four rebounds and an assists while Mbala tallied 21 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks.

Finals! We knew it was coming! Now, the Archers face one last series, fittingly against archrival or nemesis with the season’s ultimate prize at stake. I want it, you want it, they want it! Let’s take this! See you at the finals!

Animo Squad unites UAAP schools, settles for sixth place

15151588_10153485771928039_1165372627_n

Animo Spirit ignited the fire within.

The De La Salle University Animo Squad unified all UAAP schools in their dazzling performance as they finished sixth for the second time in a row with 560.5 points in this year’s Cheerdance Competition at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Saturday.

The National University Pep Squad once again seized the coveted championship for the fourth straight year, tallying 711 points against a one point deduction. NU is the second team that accomplished the feat since the University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe in the mid-2000s.

Adamson University Pep Squad, just like their men’s basketball team, caught everybody by surprise as they reached the podium to bag second runner up honors with 655, while Far Eastern University Cheering Squad was hailed as first runner up with 658.5 points.

17, 850 roaring fans from seven prestigious universities competed in this season’s cheering wars, with University of the Philippines Pep Squad opting not to join.

UST followed AdU at fourth place, garnering 650 points. While the University of the East Pep Squad placed fifth with 645. The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Babble Battalion scored 512 that sank them to last place.

“Masaya pa rin yung team kase yung pinaghirapan namin nalabas namin, and yung feedback nung crowd sa amin yung talagang gusto naming makita”, Animo Squad team captain Adrian Pesebre marveled.

Asked about the things that the squad has to improve on to finally climb up to the ladder, Pesebre said that they have to add some flare into their stunts.

“Yung technical skills, from gymnastics to the solid stunts, yun talaga yung kailangan ng Animo Squad para mag-improve”, he said.

That proved to be right as the Taft-based squad only posted 70 points in the stunts category, just six points more from last place Ateneo.

Nevertheless, Pesebre expressed gratitude to the Lasallian community for sticking by the team from the start.

“I want to say thank you to the Lasallian community for the support, for the never-ending love for the school and the Animo Squad”,  he said, “Kayo yung bida para sa amin, lahat ng ito para sa inyo”.

Tally for the Stunts Division:

1st place – NU Pep Squad (249 points)

2nd place – UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe (229 points)

3rd place – FEU Cheering Squad (209 points)

4th place – AdU Pep Squad (198 points)

5th place – UE Pep Squad (192 points)

La Salle did not compete in the stunts division.

UAAP 79 Preview: DLSU Animo Squad

15129976_10153476656368039_1108418514_n

Stepping up their game, expect more difficulty and creativity from De La Salle University’s Animo Squad. The team is determined and confident to impress more people this year. Support our team and see what the Green and White squad has in store for the UAAP community and their fans as they perform first in the CDC order of performances. It will take place at Smart Araneta, 2:00 pm on November 19, 2016.

It is the time of the year where the cheering squads from different prestigious universities in Metro Manila will battle against each other by performing routines that are creatively planned and impressively complex to claim the coveted UAAP Cheerdance championship title in the center stage filled with cheers and immense energy.

5 days before the most awaited one-day annual event of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, the Green and White squad organized a public viewing of their routine at Enrique Razon Sport Complex. The Perpsquad cheerleaders and De La Salle Lipa Pep Squad performed their intermission number before the final event of the evening.

The DLSU Animo Squad has set the bar high, performing solid stunts, creative dance moves, advanced tumbling skills and highflying tosses. The team executed the elements with precise timing and synchronization.

“This year, if they hit the routine, I can feel that they will be back in the podium” said by the multi-titled coach Ruf Vandolph “Ruffa” Rosario.

Injuries in the last few weeks before a competition are frequent, but can be often challenging. Some of the team members encountered major injuries and poor health conditions prior to the event.

Miguel Perez, who acquired dengue and typhoid fever recently, expressed his faith in his team, “Well to my team, ang laki ng tiwala ko sa team na to. I’ve trained with them for so long, for 4 years na. To see them grow this much is very intense. Sana makuha nila yung ginto kasi matagal na namin tong gusto makuha.”

Despite the major adjustment they did, Janna Inocentes (IV, AB-OCM) still believes in the ability of their team to make it to the podium finish, “I just really had to trust my bases, my coaches, and most specially myself na kaya ko. I’m confident na magagawa namin ang stunts. And I’m confident that no one’s gonna give in to the pressure of competing.”

Finding strength through adversity, DLSU Animo Squad is fighting its way back to the top, and they will make it happen. “We’re bringing all the teams back home” through their themed- routine, Innocentes added.

Here’s the message of Coach Ruffa to the DLSU Animo Squad:
“Good luck on Saturday! Just keep the faith and full the routine,I know that you will make another history”

The Few, The Chosen, The Loud and The Proud. #GoAnimoSquad!

Green Tracksters finished strong at PATAFA 2016

12418951_824888034306618_3684552932619424241_o

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Men’s and Women’s Track and Field team proved their tenacity at The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) tournament last November 5 at the PhilSports Complex in Pasig City.

The Green Tracksters won a total of 17 medals at the tournament giving them a competitive edge with the other UAAP participants.

The Tracksters’ junior division also did a great job representing the Green and White by winning multiple medals. Mellisa Escoton led the charge by earning 3 gold medals for both 100 and 200m sprint event and at the 4×400 relay event. Angel Carino followed by having 2 gold medals for the relay and long Jump events.

Mary Anthony Diesto also raced her way to the top by placing 2nd at Junior’s 400m hurdles. Together with Judy Ann Rendora, who finished 3rd at 100m hurdles event, the two won a total of 3 medals during the tournament.

At the thrower’s event Jvee Patalud and Jewel Manaig won gold for their respective events. Patalud placed first at the Javelin event while Manaig won 2 for shot put and discuss throw events respectively. Angeli Din followed them by winning 3rd at the women’s discuss throw event.

For the Men’s division, John Rey Moreno, Erwin Parcon and Alvin Vergel won gold for their respective events. Jon Colonel (Juniors) and Roland Malate (Seniors) both finished 2nd for the 1600 walk-a-thon event.

“I felt relieved that I was able to execute and finish with the gold,” said Vergel after his golden finish at the 110m hurdle sprinting event.

John Kenneth Nodos finished the tournament with 2 medals. A silver for 200m and a bronze medal for 100m sprint event, giving him consistency all through-out the tournament.

With these great results, the players feel that they are confident enough to enter the next UAAP Season stronger and faster than ever. This also sets as a mark for them as step closer to their goal of winning it all next season.

“Yes, this tournament truly proves that it is a step closer of us winning gold this coming UAAP season,” said Manaig about the team’s finish and performance last weekend. She then added, “It is also a chance for us to rise up our rankings and to bring home the overall championship back to Taft Avenue.”

Now catch The Green Tracksters prepare for the upcoming UAAP Season as they try to win the overall championship and bring the crown back to Taft.

Green Archers defeats Tamaraws, 13-1 end of elims

15050093_10153467834003039_839481955_n

 

After a lackluster game against the Blue Eagles, a renewed Green Archers squad showed up today. Despite a no-bearing game for the Archers, the boys showed character in a come-from-behind 73-67 win over the FEU Tamaraws.

The Archers had a slow start in the offensive end but were quite efficient defensively as they forced a couple of shot clock violations on the Tamaraws in the first few minutes of the quarter. Coach Ayo then called a timeout to which the Archers responded positively. They moved the ball better which allowed easier baskets and treys from Montalbo and P. Rivero, ending the quarter, 13 all.

The Archers carried their shooting woes into the second quarter as the Tamaraws went on a rampage. FEU’s Inigo and Trinidad seemed unstoppable from the perimeter but fortunately for La Salle, Teng was able to keep La Salle within striking distance, 35-32 at the end of the half.

At the start of the third quarter, the Archers seemed more focus. However, the Tamaraws went on another run until Melecio and Montalbo, who eventually tallied 12 and 13 respectively, lifted La Salle to be within three points, 53-51.

Throughout the first half of the last quarter, FEU seemed in control. Then, all of a sudden, La Salle goes on a 13-2 run, many thanks to Melecio’s clutch play. The Tamaraws tried to stop La Salle’s rampage but the Archers proved why they’re on top of the standings, ending the game, 73-67.

It’s finally the end of eliminations rounds and what a season it has truly been. Last year, the Archers packed their bags early with a 6-8 win-loss record. This year, the Archers are standing on top at 13-1, but the season’s barely over.

Coming into the final stages of the season, sophomore player, Andrei Caracut said “Well sa amin naman, every game lalo na malapit na yung final four, [expected] na mas magiging mahirap para saamin. Hindi magiging madali eh pero kailangan ready kami. Same mindset lang”.

Ayo, Racela, Baldwin and Pumaren. A battle of the coaches. This season’s final four cast has already been secured and Coach Ayo has to prepare himself and his wards for a bloody war. From hereon, the road to the championship will not be easier. While Coach Ayo seems to be the most unexperienced and the underdog, his stint with the Letran Knights should be telling. The rookie head coach will come prepared and prove that he belongs in this pantheon of great coaches.

 

 

Unlucky 13 for the Green Archers as they fall to Blue Eagles for first loss of the season

14997228_810163752455425_385761791_n

They say 13 is an unlucky number.

Today, the Green Archers suffered their first loss of the season as they fell 83-71 to the Blue Eagles in their 13th game.

In the first half, the Green Archers were simply outhustled in both offense and defense. They shot 28.57% from the field compared to Ateneo’s 54.84%. The Blue Eagles also dominated the paint 22-12 and 18-11 from the perimeter.

During half time, the general feeling was that La Salle would revert back to form after the break. Alas, it was not to be.

Just when we all thought that things were finally going well for the team after Mbala went for a monster dunk on one end and a bone crushing block on the other, questionable calls robbed the Archers off their momentum.

While Ateneo played their best game in the season, La Salle played their worst. Often times, you would think that La Salle’s rim had a lid on it as their shots simply wouldn’t fall. The Archers eventually tallied a season-low of 28.75% field goal percentage.

Lost in this Pandora’s box of horrific stats, the lone nugget of brilliance was Montalbo’s nine steals.

Today’s loss is but a reminder that despite the Archers’ almost spotless record, the ball is always round. If they don’t keep their focus, a season that looked to be a promising title-run may very well be another season of heartbreak.

All great teams lose once in a while, but the greatest teams come back with a vengeance. Stay tuned.

 

Lady Archers bow to Lady Bulldogs, suffer second straight loss

14910371_805809396224194_1039586974878051533_n

The De La Salle University Lady Archers fell to powerhouse National University Lady Bulldogs, 77-93, in a titanic clash in the second round of the UAAP Season 79 Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Saturday.

DLSU lost its second consecutive game, after a stunning defeat in the hands of the FEU Lady Tamaraws last October 22.

Camille Claro led La Salle with 21 points, 15 from beyond the arc, to go along with five boards and four dimes. Chay Vergara added 13 markers and five rebounds, while Joahanna Arciga and Kat Nunez chipped in 11 and 10 respectively.

The Taft-based squad took a blow after a technical foul was slapped on Snow Penaranda, which translated to her fourth personal foul, midway through the third period.

National U built their largest lead  in the game at 31 points after a turnaround jumper from Rhena Itesi, 88-57, with still 6:36 to go in the final canto.

Claro tried to claw their way back into the game as she buried back-to-back triples that cut the deficit to 23, 70-93, but the long bombs were a little too late with only 1:34 remaining.

The Lady Archers stayed within shouting distance early in the game. Jamie Roxas split from the charity stripe to trail the Jhocson-based crew by five, 20-25, after the first period. However, the Lady Bulldogs took advantage of their size, leaning onto second chance points, 35-11, to pull away from La Salle.

Jack Animam spearheaded the attack for NU, tallying a moster double-double 25 points, an efficient 12/14 from the field, and 22 rebounds. Gemma Miranda contributed 23 markers and 13 boards, while Afril Bernardino and Itesi scored 21 and 10 points separately.

Coach Cholo Villanueva and his team were badly out-rebounded by the taller NU-side, 29-60.

The Green and White are still at second place with an 8-3 record, while National U improved to a flawless 12-0 record.

BOX SCORES:

NU 93 – Animam 25, Miranda 23, Bernardino 21, Itesi 10, Ceno 5, Harada 3, Camelo 3, Del Carmen 2, Nabalan 1, Layug 0, Lopez 0, Taneza 0, Malana 0, Rebadulla 0

DLSU 77 – Claro 21, Vergara 13, Arciga 11, Nunez 10, Roxas 7, Castillo 5, Figueroa 4, Vela 2, Penaranda 2, Revillosa 2, Dagdagan 0, Javier 0

Quarter Scores: 25-20, 28-13, 24-19, 16-25