Pumaren uses 5-year La Salle loss streak to Ateneo as statement win motivation

MANILA, Philippines – Back in 2017, the La Salle Green Archers defeated their historic rival Ateneo Blue Eagles, 92-83, in Game 2 of a tightly contested UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball finals series on November 29 for a 1-all series tie.

The likes of Ben Mbala, Ricci Rivero, and Aljun Melecio were still leading the loaded Archers, while Thirdy Ravena, Isaac Go, and the Nieto twins Matt and Mike still made up the core of the equally stacked Eagles.

Little did La Salle hoops fans know that it would take five long years before the Taft-based squad would win another game against the longtime Katipunan dynasty, and after seven straight losses, the Archers finally broke through with an 83-78 escape on Wednesday, October 9.

La Salle head coach Derick Pumaren – despite still being a part of UE and CEU in that span – knew this fact all too well, and the multi-titled veteran took the opportunity to use it as the perfect tool to prod his squad to give their absolute best on the court.

“I used that also as a motivation. The other day in practice, I showed them the number 2017, and seven, that was the last time that La Salle won, Game 2 in that finals. We’ve lost to Ateneo seven straight times. It was an added motivation for the guys,” he said.

“Most of them are new so they should realize what’s in store, what’s at stake this time. They really went all out to get this victory. This hard-earned victory.”

Graduating guard Schonny Winston led the Archers’ motivated charge with a huge line of 25 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals – a definitive bounce-back effort from a scoreless first quarter.

This performance, buoyed by key bench contributions from the likes of Evan Nelle, Raven Cortez, Kevin Quiambao, and EJ Abadam, were just about enough to push La Salle past Ateneo, despite being out-rebounded with a definitive 22-board gap, 63-41, and by 23 on the offensive end, 36-13.

“Hats off to Ateneo, we know that it’s not an ordinary team, we know that they fought hard,” continued Pumaren. “In fact, we got killed on the offensive rebounds, [36] offensive rebounds. We have to correct that.”

Sunday’s breakthrough over the Eagles is just another reason the Archers can use to move past mere Final Four appearances and possibly break another streak: their five-year finals drought dating back to none other than that 2017 series.

However, Pumaren has been in the game long enough to not look to far ahead, as he put premium importance in his team’s next game on Wednesday, October 12, against a dangerous underdog UE Red Warriors side.

“This win means nothing if we don’t take care of business against UE. This win means nothing. We cannot be too happy about this win,” he said.

“I know that we’re too happy in seven games, eight games, finally, La Salle has won against Ateneo, but that was not the championship. That’s not why we’re here for. The season is still too early.” – Rappler.com