Good execution key for La Salle

GOOD execution of team plays will make the difference for the La Salle Green Archers when they meet the Ateneo Blue Eagles in Game 2 of their best-of-three finals series today at the Araneta Coliseum.

Green Archers’ coach Aldin Ayo said this has been a tried and tested formula that worked for them for the whole season in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.

They can wrap it up and win their ninth crown if the Green Archers do well not just with their offense, but with their defensive adjustments as well.

“Kung kailangan namin pumuntos, pumupunta kami sa schemes [game plans] namin. Hindi kami nagre-rely sa individual capabilities. ‘Pag individual play kasi, predictable,” said Ayo.  

The Green Archers are now close to the title after they took Game 1 in the men’s basketball finals with a 67-65 win over Ateneo last Saturday.

On the other hand, Blue Eagles’ coach Tab Baldwin is upbeat about their chances of taking Game 2.

They should be, after they were able to minimize their turnovers to 16 in Game 1.

“Less than 15 turnovers is an improvement we have with La Salle in the past. And you’ve been noticing in the second half, they haven’t been pressing. And that will come again. And we’ll see that again,” stated Baldwin.

He promised that Ateneo will play a more organized game to ensure that they will be able to tie the series.

On the other hand, Cameroonian big man Ben Mbala vowed to play smarter if not better in Game 2.

The 6’7” Mbala, who will be awarded the season MVP honors this Wednesday, feels that he needs to play better and that  he should be able to discern the Blue Eagles’ defense on him and adjust accordingly.