LAST Saturday, the De La Salle University Green Archers ended the season of the Adamson University Falcons, 82-75. The Green Archers are on an eight-game winning streak to improve to 13-2 won-lost overall while the Falcons matched their record from last season at 9-6.
The Archers move on to the Finals to face the winner of the winner-take-all game on Wednesday between the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles and Far Eastern University Tamaraws. The Tams lived to fight another day by beating Ateneo last Sunday, 80-67.
Falcons head coach Franz Pumaren rued the big disparity in free throws, 39 to 5. As big as the disparity was, it indicates that the team in green was more aggressive while I thought Adamson University settled for too many jump shots, specifically three-point attempts, attempting 36 and making 11.
The Falcons got into penalty early and if you’re a smart coach, you tell your players to attack the basket get to the foul line. Adamson University’s foreign player Papi Sarr got into foul trouble and when that happened, the La Salle guards kept feeding Ben Mbala at the post which practically got the whole Adamson University frontline in foul trouble.
Sarr is Adamson University’s best low post defender and the only guy in their lineup who can slow down Mbala.