Streaks are meant to be broken, and unfortunately for the De La Salle University Green Archers, theirs came to an end at the hands of arch-rivals Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.
It was simply a bad day at the office for the Green Archers, as they only shot 29 percent from the field in what became a 71-83 loss to the Blue Eagles, early Saturday evening at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
With La Salle’s loss, the UAAP Season 79 Men’s Basketball Tournament will have a Final Four scenario in the post-season and not the step-ladder format which many thought was inevitable.
One of La Salle’s key players in the loss was veteran forward Jeron Teng. The fifth-year student contributed 18 points in 27 minutes of action.
“I feel like (Ateneo) wanted the game more and that’s what we really have to work on, really wanting to win every game and our best effort should always be there.
“They just wanted it more,” Teng conceded.
La Salle had had a long break before the big game, but while the Green Archers didn’t fail in terms of intensity, it seemed as if the basket would not allow their shots to go in.
Nevertheless, the Xavier School alumnus shrugged off the circumstances. “We don’t know but we just have to keep working hard, kahit ano man yung schedule we just have to work hard every time,” said Teng.
A loss to Ateneo will always have a bitter taste for Lasallians in any UAAP event. The 2013 UAAP champion admitted as much, but looked at the big picture and stated La Salle are still on top in the elimination round.
Teng added, “It’s a learning experience for us. For sure we’re gonna learn and improve more from today’s game.
“I think for me because I’m really optimistic and I feel like every setback is a blessing din for us to learn and improve pa as a team.”
Up next for La Salle is another tough team in the Far Eastern University Tamaraws. The Tamaraws had given the Green Archers a tough game in their first round assignment and anything less will be a surprise.
“We’ll be better than this game for sure,” assured Teng, who felt the Green Archers specifically needed to show more hustle in their next games.
After FEU, La Salle have the Final Four to prepare for. Teng felt that the added games in the post-season can help the Taft school since that will ensure momentum will not be lost. “We just have to play the semis and take just one game at a time,” he declared.
Today’s result may be the final time Teng plays against Ateneo. The loss was an unwelcome result, but a revenge game against the Blue Eagles in the post-season was the last thing in his head.
“Actually any team will do kahit sino man katapat namin. For sure we’ll be more prepared and we’ll play better than today’s game,” the King Archer promised.
