Archers seek crown Sunday

Warriors remain confident
By Jasmine W. Payo
Inquirer
Last updated 09:57pm (Mla time) 10/06/2007

MANILA, Philippines--DE LA SALLE'S quest for another championship this season has been so laborious that the euphoria of snapping University of the East's remarkable winning streak hasn't exactly hit the Green Archers.

"Right now it's just one win," said La Salle coach Franz Pumaren.

Even if the feat pushed them within a victory of another championship, the Archers are anticipating another tough stretch when they try to sweep the favored Warriors in the UAAP Finals Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

"We still have to be wary of them," said Franz of his younger brother Dindo's Warriors. "They can beat us two straight. I don't think they're a pushover team. If you look at their (streak) record, 14-0, it's a clear indication that they're very strong."

The Warriors aim to pull off a comeback in Game 2 of the best-of-three title series at 3 p.m., right after the 2 p.m. individual awards rites with Most Valuable Player Jervy Cruz of the University of Santo Tomas leading the recipients.

"I think the boys know what to do," said Dindo. "Now that the boys know how it's like to be in the Finals, they've been more focused. We're ready to play our real game."

The Archers dealt the error-prone Warriors their first loss last Thursday with a 64-63 stunner that pushed them within a win of capturing their seventh men's basketball crown.

Seasoned guards TY Tang and JV Casio nailed crucial baskets in the final period while Rico Maierhofer sealed the victory by converting one of two free throws with 14.1 seconds left.

The Archers pulled it off despite coming from three draining matches--one playoff and two semifinal matches against Ateneo.

"That's where experience comes in," said Franz. "My guards are veterans of several wars already. I guess that's our advantage. And the UE Warriors, who are playing for the first time in the Finals, there's a little pressure on their part."

"We have to come out intense and aggressive again," said Dindo. "We had a chance to win Game 1 even if we played bad, that's why the team's morale is still high."