In the last 10 days, the narrative surrounding the DLSU Green Archers centered on the idea of loss. From painful defeats to devastating injuries to key players, the Green Archers couldn’t catch a break after winning two of their first three games in UAAP Season 88.
Part of it was their own undoing, especially when it came to in-game adjustments and free throw opportunities. There was also some tough luck as injuries are unpredictable regardless of whether you think about the intent. The other factor is when they let teams like the UE Red Warriors turn into the Golden State Warriors.
The Red Warriors have often played foil to La Salle, as the former has used either stellar offense or stingy defense to stun the latter. Perhaps this also stems from UE continuing to seek vengeance for DLSU playing spoiler to their 14-0 season back in Season 70.
During the first three quarters, it looked like the Red Warriors were going to earn their breakthrough win thanks to an out-of-this-world performance from Wello Lingolingo and Precious Momowei feasting on an undermanned Green Archer frontcourt. La Salle did not want to go quietly into the night, as Kean Baclaan led a huge rally only to see his night end on a controversial Lingolingo dive for a loose ball.
With the game hanging in the balance, DLSU needed someone to step up and once again, it was Jacob Cortez who answered the call.
We’ve come to the realization that the fourth quarter belongs to Cortez. The former San Beda Red Lion rises to the occasion when the stakes go up. The key to his game is his midrange shot, as it gets him into rhythm and changes the way opponents defend him. Cortez may not be the fastest guy on the court but his shiftiness keeps defenses guessing and thanks to him, the Lasallian community can breathe a sigh of relief, notwithstanding their gripes with how Season 88 has turned out so far.
Part of the frustration from the Lasallian community comes from the Green Archers playing below their potential. La Salle is a perennial title contender thanks to the talent and resources they have amassed, but the three championships in the last 15 years pales in comparison to the seven titles their archrival Ateneo Blue Eagles have won during that span.
The narrative of DLSU playing below their capabilities this season continues to rear its ugly head, considering what the numbers show. Despite being a top-two team in scoring (80.2 points per game), they allow the second-most points on defense (82.7 points per game). Much of this comes from their porous interior defense, which allows opponents to convert a little over half of their field goal attempts (50.9 percent). The free throws are an issue that continues to befuddle the Green Archers, who only convert on 60 percent of their 29.0 attempts (good for second in the league).
Working for La Salle, though, is that they have been able to generate points for each other, as they lead the UAAP in assists per game at 17.8 and only commit 12.5 turnovers per game, which is just behind the Blue Eagles. Moving the ball around will be crucial in mitigating their personnel losses and giving confidence to the players who will have to step up.
Can the DLSU Green Archers still turn things around? Absolutely. Their title runs have been defined by slow starts and strong finishes, but running like a diesel time and time again will eventually bite back, and the Green Archers are getting a glimpse of that in UAAP Season 88. The path ahead seems daunting, but then again, what is a champion, if not one that continues to persevere?
