La Salle fights for life, battles No. 2-locked FEU Wednesday

JERON Teng (left) and the La Salle Green Archers hope to get past Russell Escoto and the FEU Tamaraws. ARNOLD ALMACEN

But the La Salle coaching staff isn’t looking beyond what’s on paper. And what’s on paper is scary, no matter what type of drive the Tamaraws will bring to the floor in a game that has no bearing for their squad anymore. FEU has such relentless firepower that the Archers need to worry about how they can clinch a victory they badly need to stay alive for a Final Four berth.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” said La Salle coach Juno Sauler. “Their players can shoot from the outside and can attack the basket.”

Game time is set at 4 p.m. today at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Archers need a victory to tie National University at the fourth spot at 7-7 and force a knockout match for the last semifinal seat.

If they lose, the Archers will be out of the Final Four picture for only the fourth time in 22 seasons.

It’s a no-bearing match for FEU; win or lose, the Tamaraws are at No. 2 and will have a twice-to-beat edge against No. 3 seeded Ateneo.

But coach Nash Racela wants to use this game to prepare for the Tams’ semifinal showdown. And a win will give them momentum going into the Final Four. But they won’t push so hard as to risk getting players hurt.

“It doesn’t change our position, it’s important for them (Archers), but we go to every game with the intention of winning,” said Racela.

The Tamaraws, who are coming off back-to-back losses for the first time this season, want to avoid going into the semifinals on a losing skid versus third-ranked Ateneo.

“That’s why we want to win the next one—to gain a level of momentum,” said Racela.

University of Santo Tomas already clinched the top spot and the Tigers are waiting for things to play out today to determine who will be their semifinal opponent. If La Salle wins, UST will need to wait another playdate as the Archers and the defending champion Bulldogs go at it in a KO duel.

University of the East and University of the Philippines, meanwhile, aim to wrap up their campaign with a win in the first game at 2 p.m.

The Archers remain hopeful after snapping a three-game slide with a thrilling 72-68 triumph over the Maroons last week.

“We have to keep competing until the very end, just like the players did [against UP],” said Sauler.

Behind Jeron Teng and the rising Prince Rivero, the Archers look to avoid a repeat of their 18-point blowout loss to the Tamaraws, 93-75, in the first round.

“Prince has been very solid for us,” Sauler said of the sophomore standout, who posted 18 points and 16 rebounds in his last outing. “He’s our best big man there.”