It was a historic game for all the wrong reasons for the De La Salle University Green Archers on Saturday afternoon. But despite that, the Green Archers still showed heart and composure that almost resulted in a comeback of epic proportions.
Against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, La Salle had a nightmarish start that saw them only put up two points in the opening frame. It was the lowest first quarter scoring ever in the league since Imperium took over to collate the league’s stats. Moreover, it tied the lowest scoring output in a quarter, equalling the record-low set by the Soaring Falcons during the second quarter of their 25-62 loss to the NU Bulldogs back in July 30, 2014.
Despite the terrible start, first-year Green Archers head coach Louie Gonzalez continued to push his team, knowing that the shots they attempted were all good attempts.
“Yeah, it was the story of the game. Yung first quarter talaga. Ako naman, hindi nama ako na… I just told the boys to grind it out eh. Those were good shots eh. It’s really just… they’re not falling,” rued Gonzalez, as La Salle went 0-of-20 during that stretch.
Justine Baltazar was able to score their first field goal with 8:38 left in the second quarter. And after finally seeing a bucket, the Green Archers started their fightback.
“First time [ko makakita ng ganun] pero alam ko it really happens in a normal basketball game,” admitted Gonzalez. “Ako iniisip ko lang during that first quarter is for my boys na to keep their composure. I keep telling them dun sa bench while the game was on-going, kasi wala naman akong pakialam sa score eh. Kumbaga, I always tell them even if you take twenty missed shots, as long as those are good shots, you’ll be fine. Particular ako sa kanila sa ganun.
“I think in that first quarter, those are good shots. Really, those are good shots, it’s just that ‘di lang pumapasok.”
La Salle rallied back, eventually slicing the lead down to just a solitary point, 46-67 with 6:06 left. However, backbreaking triples courtesy of Sean Manganti and Jerie Pingoy fended off the Green Archers.
It resulted in a 50-57 loss to drop the Green Archers’ record to 5-4.
Seeing the fight his team showed, Gonzalez can’t wait for the Green Archers to step on the floor again, as he is confident that his team is hungrier than ever.
“Yun lang naman sinabi ko sa kanila, after the game, it’s just… hindi lang talaga shumoot tira natin nung first quarter, that’s the story of the game,” he lamented.
“Effort-wise, wala naman naging problema eh.”
