Preview: La Salle, UST clash for UAAP title

 

MANILA, Philippines — And then there were two.

The best-of-3 finals showdown between De La Salle University and the University of Santo Tomas kicks off on Wednesday, October 2 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum as both squads try to add another page to their schools’ illustrious basketball history.

DLSU Green Archers vs UST Growling Tigers

Game time: 4:00pm

Season series: Tied, 1-1

First round: UST 63, DLSU 58

READ: UST survives La Salle in thrilling finish

Second round: DLSU 69, UST 65

READ: La Salle sweeps second round after edging UST

 

ROAD TO THE FINALS

DLSU

– Finished 10-4 in the eliminations.

– Defeated FEU in the knockout game for second seed, 74-69.

– Defeated FEU in the Final Four, 71-68.

UST

– Knocked out Ateneo in the eliminations for the final playoff berth.

– Finished 8-6 in the eliminations.

– Defeated NU twice in the Final Four, 71-62 and 76-69.

KEY MATCH-UPS

Point guards

LA Revilla vs Ed Daquioag

LA Revilla starred in De La Salle’s two playoff games against FEU, where he exploded from the outside. Averaging just 4.33 markers in the eliminations, DLSU’s starting point guard waxed hot for 17.5 PPG in their last two meetings, including six triples in their first playoff encounter. He gave the Green Archers extra offense especially while Almond Vosotros was in a slump.

Ed Daquioag, meanwhile, is more of a defender and his main task is to make it difficult for the DLSU backcourt. He may not need to score that much, but if he can give the Growling Tigers some production, it will be a big advantage.

Advantage: DLSU      

Shooting guards

Almond Vosotros vs Jeric Teng

Vosotros had a great run in the first half as he led La Salle in scoring. As a streak shooter, he knows that he can hit the big shots and he’s been given the go signal. However, he has not really found his touch lately and he should recover to help the Green Archers on offense.

Jeric Teng is finally back after being wounded for most of the season. The King Tiger was finally able to log more minutes and contribute more production for UST. He is regaining his top form just in time for the finals and he is expected to make big baskets down the wire.

Advantage: UST

READ: Jeric, Jeron Teng take sibling rivalry to the UAAP finals

Small forwards

Jeron Teng vs Kevin Ferrer

Jeron Teng finally found his groove in the second half, carrying the load for La Salle whenever their game is on the line. He also shot better from the stripe during clutch, and is a key reason for the Green Archers’ close wins over Ateneo and UST. In the playoffs, Teng averaged 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in two games, proving he’s the King Archer after all.

Kevin Ferrer is focused on limiting his match-up, like the way he faired against Ray Parks. The former UAAP juniors MVP was instrumental in taking away Parks’ game, and that’s exactly the same thing he’ll be doing when he and Jeron Teng face each other.

Advantage: Even

READ: Kevin Ferrer ready to fulfill destiny for UST

Power forwards

Jason Perkins vs Aljon Mariano

Perkins became La Salle’s instant go-to guy with the absence of Yutien Andrada. He was able to create match-up problems with his size and speed. He has a decent touch from up to the three-point line; he has enough speed and strength to outhustle his bigger opponents and take care of the inside for the Green Archers.

Speaking of hardwork, Aljon Mariano has always been a reliable big man for UST. Often overshadowed by Ateneo’s Nico Salva at the power forward position, now is Mariano’s chance to shine and take the spotlight. Like Perkins, he has a great touch from all the way out, the quickness to run up and down the floor, and the power to crash the boards and give the Tigers extra possessions.

Advantage: DLSU

Centers

Arnold Van Opstal vs Karim Abdul

Arnold Van Opstal is having a terrific season and he’s trying to seal it with a championship. Although a bit slow, his presence shall be crucial especially in stopping UST’s inside game. His length will also be an advantage when putting up those hook shots or swatting away attempts from the Growling Tigers.

Being pitted against bigger centers is nothing new for Karim Abdul. he was vital in stopping Ateneo’s Greg Slaughter for the last two years and even his fellow reinforcements this year. Abdul offers a lot for the Growling Tigers—rebounding, scoring from inside and the perimeter, and interior defense. He’ll be a bit faster than AVO and he should utilize most of his skills to help UST win.

Advantage: UST

Bench

The two squads do not have the most productive benches this season, finishing in the bottom two of reserve production throughout the elimination round.

UST has shooter Clark Bautista coming off the bench, providing the Espana crew with instant offense. Paolo Pe, meanwhile, gives Abdul more rest, and other guys like Kim Lo and John Sheriff also infuse energy when inside the court.

For La Salle, since Van Opstal has already stepped up as a starter, Norbert Torres, Luigi Dela Paz, Thomas Torres, and Matt Salem are their key reserves. The bigger Torres will be a great match-up with Pe given their sizes, Dela Paz and Thomas Torres are also capable scorers, while Salem will give Perkins a much-needed break.

Coaching

Coach Pido Jarencio will call the shots for UST in his 8th season with the Growling Tigers. He led UST to a championship in his maiden year with the team in Season 69, where they bested the Ateneo Blue Eagles in 3 games. He knows how to handle the pressure and that is proven by their 3-0 card in do-or-die games.

Coach Juno Sauler is in his first year as a head coach for the Green Archers, and it has been a wonderful season for him so far. After meltdowns in the first half, DLSU made key adjustments and are now the league’s hottest team with 9 straight wins. It is up to Sauler to sustain that momentum heading into the finals.

Championship experience

UST, last year’s finalists, return to the championship stage with the hope of bringing the trophy home. They are also the reigning Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) titlists and the core of that line-up is still intact. Coach Pido Jarencio, who has a UAAP title across his name, knows what it takes to deliver another championship to Espana.

It will be a whole new experience meanwhile for the La Salle side. It’s their first appearance since 2008 and almost everyone on the roster hasn’t been in the finals. But given their focus this season, it may be their biggest chance to bring back the glory to Taft.

PICK: UST in 3 games