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UAAP Season 71 Preview: DLSU Green Archers
Mon, Jun 16, 2008 by Pandaemonaeon
Overview: After a behind-the-back cheapshot on Arwind Santos, followed by a one-year suspension (all perpetrated by the "lone recruiter in the grassy knoll", Manny Salgado), the Green Archers wasted no time getting back to the business of winning, but not before a few setbacks that included a pair of losing streaks, culminating into the team surreptitiously shaving their plates. This proved to be a minor abberation however, as the Archers regained their bearings, dispatching their age-old rival the Ateneo Blue Eagles and then sweeping the UE Red Warriors to ultimately claim the coveted crown, capping off a triumphant return to the UAAP.
Why you should root for them: Winning tradition, involvement in Phoenix Lander mission, thirst for violence
Why you shouldn't: 6 Cycle Mind, Quinito Henson, coin throwing
Roster changes: This season sees the departure of 2 (possibly 3) players all instrumental to the team's recent success, with guards Ty Tang and Cholo Villanueva packing their bags (with the latter moving to the bench as an assistant) after expending their remaining years of eligibility, and with Rico Maierhoffer possibly leaving to test the PBA waters. Fencing fans will also be saddened to know that Bryan Ilad won't be around to reprise his role as the Chinese version of Badjie del Rosario as DLSU brass opted to go in another direction. JV Casio and incumbent center PJ Walsham (the master of the blown layup) are the only starters that are guaranteed to return as well as head coach Franz Pumaren.
Bench: DLSU's bench features a cast of "who's who's" bannered by the up-and-coming Ferdinand, San Beda standout Hyram Bagatsing, and the returning Simon Atkins who may or may not bring anything to the table other than a soul patch. Also worth noting is the much-awaited debut of Serbian center Marko Batricevic, who hasn't really shown anything remotely significant yet but is tall and foreign which automatically translates to excellence as Greg Slaughter has shown us.
Defensive Gameplan: The Green Archers' recipe for winning starts with their ever-reliable full court press. Dubbed the "nightmare press" by the media, the press exploits the ineptitude of Filipinos at dribbling a basketball and their teammates' tendency to leave their point guards to fend for themselves in the backcourt, by aggressively trapping on the inbounds play and getting easy baskets from the ensuing miscues.
Go-To Guy: La Salle's leading scorer last season to the tune of 15ppg, it's no surprise that JV Casio will be the focal point of the team's offense this year with a distinct possibility of improving upon those averages with the amount of shots available. It also won't be a surprise to see double teams and other defensive schemes dedicated to stopping him either. What does surprise me is that the commentators haven't called him the "silent assassin" yet which seems to be the defacto nickname for any player who has a poker face and a jump shot.
Outlook: The heavy favorites to repeat. Upon hearing this prediction, Maierhoffer was immediately ecstatic and pumping his fists in the air, only to be reminded by a PR officer that they haven't played a single game yet.
Mon, Jun 16, 2008 by Pandaemonaeon
Overview: After a behind-the-back cheapshot on Arwind Santos, followed by a one-year suspension (all perpetrated by the "lone recruiter in the grassy knoll", Manny Salgado), the Green Archers wasted no time getting back to the business of winning, but not before a few setbacks that included a pair of losing streaks, culminating into the team surreptitiously shaving their plates. This proved to be a minor abberation however, as the Archers regained their bearings, dispatching their age-old rival the Ateneo Blue Eagles and then sweeping the UE Red Warriors to ultimately claim the coveted crown, capping off a triumphant return to the UAAP.Why you should root for them: Winning tradition, involvement in Phoenix Lander mission, thirst for violence
Why you shouldn't: 6 Cycle Mind, Quinito Henson, coin throwing
Roster changes: This season sees the departure of 2 (possibly 3) players all instrumental to the team's recent success, with guards Ty Tang and Cholo Villanueva packing their bags (with the latter moving to the bench as an assistant) after expending their remaining years of eligibility, and with Rico Maierhoffer possibly leaving to test the PBA waters. Fencing fans will also be saddened to know that Bryan Ilad won't be around to reprise his role as the Chinese version of Badjie del Rosario as DLSU brass opted to go in another direction. JV Casio and incumbent center PJ Walsham (the master of the blown layup) are the only starters that are guaranteed to return as well as head coach Franz Pumaren.
Bench: DLSU's bench features a cast of "who's who's" bannered by the up-and-coming Ferdinand, San Beda standout Hyram Bagatsing, and the returning Simon Atkins who may or may not bring anything to the table other than a soul patch. Also worth noting is the much-awaited debut of Serbian center Marko Batricevic, who hasn't really shown anything remotely significant yet but is tall and foreign which automatically translates to excellence as Greg Slaughter has shown us. Defensive Gameplan: The Green Archers' recipe for winning starts with their ever-reliable full court press. Dubbed the "nightmare press" by the media, the press exploits the ineptitude of Filipinos at dribbling a basketball and their teammates' tendency to leave their point guards to fend for themselves in the backcourt, by aggressively trapping on the inbounds play and getting easy baskets from the ensuing miscues.
Go-To Guy: La Salle's leading scorer last season to the tune of 15ppg, it's no surprise that JV Casio will be the focal point of the team's offense this year with a distinct possibility of improving upon those averages with the amount of shots available. It also won't be a surprise to see double teams and other defensive schemes dedicated to stopping him either. What does surprise me is that the commentators haven't called him the "silent assassin" yet which seems to be the defacto nickname for any player who has a poker face and a jump shot.
Outlook: The heavy favorites to repeat. Upon hearing this prediction, Maierhoffer was immediately ecstatic and pumping his fists in the air, only to be reminded by a PR officer that they haven't played a single game yet.
Copyright © The 15th Parallel
Comment: 1
HOT HOT HOT!!!