Beleaguered Archers lose starting guard Thomas Torres

EVERYTHING goes stunningly bad for La Salle in its 86-97 loss to fierce rival Ateneo in Sunday’s game, including this block on Green Archer gunner Almond Vosotros by Blue Eagle Ponso Gotladera. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle absorbed another blow to its title-defense as starting guard Thomas Torres sustained an injury that will likely sideline him for the rest of the UAAP men’s basketball season.

Torres fractured his right ankle during the Ateneo-La Salle match last Sunday where the Green Archers absorbed an 86-97 loss that kept them winless in two games.

The absence of Torres will likely leave the playmaking chores to Almond Vosotros, Kib Montalbo, Robert Bolick or rookie Terence Mustre.

Even minus Torres, La Salle coach Juno Sauler said the Archers must learn how to deal with speedy opponents following losses to rival Ateneo and Far Eastern University, 77-82.

“FEU is a very quick team, Ateneo is a very quick team, and we’re not,” said Sauler. “We have to find ways to counter the quickness of our opponents. We have to find solutions.”

The Archers will try to avoid falling into a 0-3 hole tomorrow versus National University, which shares top spot at 2-0 with Ateneo and University of the East.

La Salle, though, had a better start to its title defense in women’s basketball as the Lady Archers stayed unbeaten in two games like the Lady Eagles and the Lady Bulldogs.

Camille Clare and Ana Castillo teamed up for 16 points to power the Lady Archers past Adamson, 50-42, while Trixie Antiquiera topscored with 15 in the Lady Bulldogs’ 62-60 nipping of University of Santo Tomas.

Danica Jose posted 22 points and 13 rebounds as Ateneo downed FEU, 58-55.

The Blue Eagles picked up back-to-back wins over the Tamaraws and the Archers with Kiefer Ravena winning the UAAP Press Corps-Accel Quantum Plus/316 Player of the Week plum by averaging 25.5 points.