Archers out to stop bleeding vs Falcons

Published: July 24, 2013

Leo Austria
Games Today

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

2 p.m. - UP vs UST

4 p.m. - Adamson vs La Salle

Adamson eyes a follow-up to its big victory over title favorite National University when it collides against a struggling La Salle side today in UAAP Season 76 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

A win in their 4 p.m. showdown will further boost Adamson’s campaign after improving to 3-2 – thanks to a 68-66 win overt NU but coach Leo Austria is gearing up for a tough showdown.

After La Salle absorbed back-to-back defeats, Austria believes a new and determined La Salle side will show today.

In the other game, University of Santo Tomas, tied with Adamson for second at 3-2, plays winless University of the Philippines in the 2 p.m. opener.

Behind Jericho Cruz, Ingrid Sewa and role player Celedonio Trollano, Adamson showed resilience in the payoff period to stun the Bobby Ray Parks-led Bulldogs.

That triumph propelled the San Marcelino-based squad to second place with a 3-2 slate.

For Adamson to post its second back-to-back wins, its has to bring it’s A-game.

“We are still working on our mental toughness and I always remind them that every team in the UAAP and every game is a hard game because teams know they can’t take us for granted,” said Austria.

The Falcons are preparing for a possible fightback by La Salle, which lost a 13-point lead over Far Eastern University in an 83-79 overtime loss and blew a four-point edge down the stretch in the 85-83 setback on Saturday to University of the East.

“We just have to learn how to close it out,” La Salle mentor Juno Sauler said. “Actually, I think the players are doing very well, we just have to focus on little details that we need to improve on and it can’t happen overnight. But as long as I see the players improving on a daily basis, okay na yun. The results will eventually follow.”

Sauler is banking on Jeron Teng, Arnold Van Opstal, Luigi de la Paz and Thomas Torres to climb out of their 2-3 slate.

Meanwhile, UST absorbed a 77-67 loss to FEU on Sunday in the second straight game minus ace gunner Jeric Teng.

Kevin Ferrer, who is wearing a protective mask after getting elbowed in the face against UE, said they can’t cope up well without Teng, who is capable of scoring 15 points or more.

“Mahirap mag-adjust dahil si Jeric kayang gumawa ng 15-20 points, talagang malaking kawalan siya,” said Ferrer of Teng, who is still recovering after injuring his right shoulder.

Even without Teng, the Tigers are still favored to win against the Maroons, who have lost all of their five games. But coach Pido Jarencio is wary of a potential upset.