Can the La Salle Green Archers go back-to-back in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball finals? Or will the UP Fighting Maroons finally get over the hump?
The UAAP’s hottest rivalry will indeed have another round as the La Salle Green Archers and UP Fighting Maroons lock horns in the Season 87 men’s basketball finals starting December 8 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Both teams separated themselves from the pack throughout Season 87 as they held on to the top two seeds throughout the entirety of the elimination rounds. But in the end, it was the Archers who secured the number one seed with a 12-2 record as the Maroons finished in second with an 11-3 slate.
A 70-55 win over the Adamson Soaring Falcons secured the Archers’ re-entry into the finals, while UP punched their ticket after dispatching the scrappy UST Growling Tigers 78-69 last November 30 at the Araneta Coliseum.
As we wait for tip-off, let’s take a look at the head-to-head matchup featuring the Green Archers and Fighting Maroons.
Elimination round series
After splitting their elimination games in UAAP Season 86, La Salle scored a pair of convincing victories against UP in the Season 87 elimination rounds.
Round 1 was an 80-65 victory for the Archers, which dealt the Fighting Maroons their first loss for Season 87 after a strong 6-0 start. In a game marred by controversy, a strong first half by the Archers set the tone against UP, who were without Mythical Five guard JD Cagulangan last October 6 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Despite a much better start by UP in their Round 2 rematch, second-half adjustments by the Archers proved to be too much, as the Fighting Maroons were limited to 23 second-half points thanks to the defending champs’ tightened defense.
And while the finals series will be a clean slate, the pressure remains on UP to continue figuring out the La Salle puzzle, along with ensuring they won’t fall into the same bad habits they had during the elimination rounds.
By the numbers
La Salle: The Archers enter the Finals as Season 87’s highest-scoring team, averaging 74.21 points per game throughout eliminations. After all, it helps when you have the league’s top scorer in Kevin Quiambao (16.64 ppg), and Mike Phillips (12.0 ppg) whose high-energy play translates to countless points down low.
Behind the two stars is an ample supporting cast including the likes of co-captain Josh David, JC Macalalag, and backup big Raven Gonzales among others. At the same time, their bench was one of the season’s most productive, with their 32.36 points per game being third-best in the UAAP.
Despite an ongoing slump, the Archers are also Season 87’s best three-point shooting team with a combined 30.27 percent (102-of-337) clip after eliminations. Quiambao (31 triples made), David (17 triples made), and Macalalag (11 triples made) have proven to be La Salle’s main snipers throughout the season.
An imposing frontcourt presence, meanwhile, likely allowed La Salle to score a league-best 13.57 points per game in Season 87. After all, the Phillips’ led frontcourt topped the rebounding charts with 49.86 boards (16.5 offensive rebounds) per game.
The Archers’ defense is just as commendable, with their 63.93 points allowed per game being second-best for Season 87 behind the Adamson Soaring Falcons. As seen against UP, it’s the type of defending that can limit rival teams’ offense when all tightened up.
Ball security, however, remains a pressing issue for the defending champs as seen with their league-worst 19.43 turnovers. Head coach Topex Robinson has long acknowledged this, and it remains to be seen how much they can limit this issue for the finals against UP.
UP: With their high-octane play, UP finished with 73.29 points per game in eliminations to highlight their potent offense behind the Archers. In doing so, the Maroons finished with a league-best 11.07 fastbreak points per game, further highlighting their identity to thrive on the open court.
UP’s offense is greatly aided by their league-best 7.86 steals per game, which they translated into a league-best 15.71 turnover points per contest. Accompanying this is another league-best 11.07 fastbreak points per game, further solidifying their identity to thrive on the open court.
As a reflection of their trademark depth, UP also finished with 38.0 bench points per game in another league-best statistic. Veterans Terrence Fortea and Harold Alarcon lead the UP bench, along with the high-flying Francis Lopez to provide a necessary spark when called upon.
Much like the Archers, State U also has their own imposing frontcourt led by one-and-done big Quentin Millora-Brown. With QMB at the helm, UP finished top three in rebounding, averaging 45.57 rebounds (15 offensive boards) throughout the elimination rounds.
UP’s defense, meanwhile, has greatly aided their offense. After all, the Maroons finished with a league-high 7.86 steals per game, which translated to another league-best average of 15.71 turnover points throughout eliminations.
Along with this are 65.71 points allowed per game, good for top five in Season 87. It’s no Adamson, or La Salle defense, but as we’ve all seen it’s more than enough to accompany the Maroons’ high-powered offense already.
Early prediction?
Simply put, UP and La Salle will continue to be one of the UAAP’s most exciting matchups thanks to the level of talent in each roster coupled with their contrasting play styles.
But for now, all signs point to a La Salle repeat with a continued mastery of the UP puzzle. On top of this, watching the Archers’ games throughout Season 87 shows how they have evolved into one cohesive unit, with each player embracing the defined roles given to them by the coaching staff.
Our prediction? La Salle in three games.
Banner image courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.