Green Archers still gung-ho despite stunning defeat

By Jasmine W. Payo
Inquirer
Last updated 04:47am (Mla time) 09/29/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- They surprisingly cleared their dugout early.

The La Salle Green Archers didn't grieve for long after falling a basket short of barging to the UAAP basketball Finals.

"Mistakes are painful, but you turn mistakes into experience," said La Salle coach Franz Pumaren.

Apparently, there's still no messing up the Archers' determination even after a heartbreaking one-point loss to rival Ateneo, 65-64, in the stepladder semifinals last Thursday.

The crucial setback forged a do-or-die showdown between the blood rivals Sunday, giving the Archers little time to lick their wounds.

And as the Archers try to figure out what went wrong, Pumaren sees no need to rebuild their faith in claiming the right to play the University of the East Warriors in a best-of-three championship series.

"What we lost was our [twice-to-beat] privilege," said Pumaren. "We left the dugout early and I think it showed that we're still confident. I think we're capable of bouncing back and redeeming ourselves."

Still, the Archers took note of their shortcomings, including how the Eagles clobbered them in the rebounding battle, 41-29.

"It showed the lack of depth of our team, our shallow rotation especially with (rookie center) Brian Ilad not playing (due to a suspension)," said Pumaren. "But that's not an excuse. As a coach, it's our job to utilize the materials that we have."

Even more crucial, the Archers need to check on the missed offensive opportunities and defensive lapses in the final two minutes where they threw away a six-point buffer.

Veteran guard Chris Tiu delivered the dagger shots in a 7-0 comeback that saved the Eagles' season by the slimmest possible margin.

But Pumaren expects more than just a review of their gameplan slip-ups. An attitude overhaul remains in top order in the Archers' fifth meeting with the gritty Eagles this season.

"The players tend to be complacent," the 44-year-old mentor said. "In our last 16 games, there's not a single game that everyone played well. Every game, only two or three played well. We're waiting for us to play what we're really capable of. And hopefully it will be next game. We're still confident. We're looking forward to Sunday."