VOL. 1 NO.

4 2

AUGUST 26-31, 2011 17-30,

DINDO Pumaren

NORMAN Black

Ang lagay ng puso,

career at bulsa mo malalaman na sa BILOG ANG BOLA page 5

DIFFERENT
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no room for error page 6

SUPER GIRL has BLOOMING Jaz

OLSENS DAY by
Olsen Racela

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eyes perfect take page 7

KIRK Long

JARELAN Tampus

AUGUST 26-31, 2011

Different directions
By Ruel S. De Vera, Sunday Inquirer Magazine

VER proud and ever faithful, the student bodies of Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle understand that their basketball teams fates are inextricably linked, no matter how far they are from each other in the standings.
The two Ateneo-La Salle games are a season to themselves, something that their respective followings await impatiently for as the other games go by. There are even some who say they would prefer a win over the other school rather than a championship. Luckily, the teams have delivered. For years on end, the two teams dueled for places in the team win-loss charts, always just a heartbreak loss or fulfilling win away from each other. There were even those perfect years when the Blue Eagles and Green Archers faced off in the finals, the best possible outcome. But rarely have the two schools been so far apart and moving in such different directions as the Blue Eagles and the Green Archers in the second round of UAAP Season 74. It would be greatly disingenuous to rank Ateneo anywhere but the top entering the season. The three-time defending champions and Season 74 hosts may have lost two major contributors during their dominant rungraduated guard Eric Salamat and swingman Ryan Buenafe, lost to conditioning issuesbut they also gained the biggest boost from a stellar recruiting class. On their way to a flawless record, the Blue Eagles unveiled the rookie one-two punch of 70 center Greg Slaughter and 510 guard Kiefer Ravena. Slaughter proved to be agile and quick in the post and simply overpowered opposing big men. Ravena, meanwhile, showed a prodigious streak on both offense and defense, showing he had what it took to win on all aspects of the game. How dominant are the Blue Eagles? Slaughter and Ravena lead the statistical race for the UAAP MVP . Yet that discussion hasnt even touch on the returning Ateneo squad, bannered by veteran wingmen Nico Salva. Salva, a polished scorer with a deadly midrange game, could carry the teams scoring but defers to Slaughter and Ravena when needed. But it isnt coincidence that Salva has won a UAAP title in each of his years as an Atenean. This year, Kirk Long seems intent to contribute more on the defensive end while the surprising Emman Monfort has shown that he wont back down from any challenge at point guard. This fiveSlaughter, Salva, Long, Ravena and Monfortis probably the UAAPs most fearsome offensive unit. What Ateneo needs to maintain their spot atop the leaderboard is for their second unit to provide enough of a cushion for their starters to rest.

MUST-WIN SITUATION
DLSU mentor Dindo Pumaren.

Coach Norman Black has been utilizing an almost platoon-method of substitution which saw a more grinding, defense-oriented five take to the floor before the second quarter to mixed results in the first round. But now backup big man Justin Chua seems to have gotten his shot and confidence back and whirligig guard Tonino Gonzaga has added a perimeter jumper to his in-yourface defense, the Blue Eagle reserves may just provide the necessary boost to gain not only the first twice-to-beat advantage but perhaps a season sweep to propel them to their fourth straight finals appearance. The Green Archers could only look on in dismay as what began as a season of promise seemed to be getting worse. A rebuilding Green Archers squad has shed almost every player from the 2007 title team and is guided by Dindo Pumaren instead of that championship squads coach Franz Pumaren. A lineup full of guards showed a serious devotion to La Salles vaunted fullcourt pressure, but as teams began to figure out how to break through that press, the Green Archers has produced mediocre results. Right now, La Salle finds itself hovering just around 50 percent, a place that they are certainly not used to. The La Salle lineup has produced several welcome developments. Overall, the best Green Archer has to be headstrong guard LA Revilla. Lost for a season after a promising start due to diabetes, Revilla broke out early in the season, providing consistent penetration and scoring from the point guard spot. While his health continues to be a concern, Revilla clearly is the barometer for this young La Salle quintet, and will only go as far as Revilla boldly takes them. After a hot scoring streak in the preseason, second-year guard Almond Vosotros has continued to flourish as a scorer late in games and, together with Revilla, makes up the most potent scoring backcourt in the league. The seasons biggest surprise

RELIABLE
ATENEO coach Norman Black and his trusted playmaker Monfort.
AUGUST DELA CRUZ

has been the flourishing inside game of 6-6 rookie big man Norbert Torres. While he initially spent too much time trying to score from beyond the arc, Torres proved to be a workhorse inside, rebounding steadily and scoring on point-blank attempts. Two other sophomore guards, Luigi dela Paz and Jarelan Tampus have emerged as able supporting scorers. To improve their location in the standings and beat out University of Santo Tomas for that fourth final four slot, La Salle needs to find scoring from across their roster as well as patrolling the paint better. More is expected from Maui Villanueva, Joshua Webb and Arnold Van Opstal. Pumaren must find a way to maximize the talents that his team clearly possesses even as he must find a way to overcome the disastrous injuries that has struck his players. Perhaps no loss is greater than that of beanpole Yutien Andrada who was lost for the season after

tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the Green Archers upset loss to University of the East. As the Blue Eagles and the Green Archers meet on Aug. 28, they will have different things on their minds prior to the game. The Ateneo players look forward to a possible sweep on their way to the finals while the La Salle cagers ponder a second round rally on their way to a final four slot. But when the game begins, those thoughts will recede from their minds. When the opening buzzer goes off and the referees whistles sound, all that the players, from either Ateneo or La Salle, will be thinking about how to win each possession in 40 minutes of basketball heaven. It doesnt matter where the two teamsare in the standings. The important thing is that the two are meeting, period. When the Ateneo-La Salle classic comes to the Big Dome, the biggest game is the one right in front of you.

AUGUST DELA CRUZ

AUGUST 26-31, 2011

3
Editor in Chief

NEW BATTLECOURT

This Archer likes to be a lawyer

AUGUST DELA CRUZ

sweets and I like it, he said. But he tries to limit eating sweets, and avoids consuming soda and junk food. While his basketball idol remains to be the great Michael Jordan, Marata is thankful he has a dad that gives him moral support and even advice on how to improve his skills. My dad gives me tips but at the same time he knows we have our own capable coach so he just throws his moral support to me and the whole team. He tries to watch our

game as often as he can, Marata said. With his good looks and impressive skills, Marata has also been asked to endorse a couple of brands. Right now, he has a billboard up in EDSA for Gatorade. With several of his teammates, he also endorses Nike. With a hectic schedule (its finals week for La Salle right now), the secret to doing everything, he said, is time management. He said: Ive got an excellent support system [in his family, friends, and girlfriend, fans] and that I am thankful for.

Chito dF. dela Vega

Desk editors

Dennis U. Eroa Francis Ochoa Romel M. Lalata

Graphic artist

Ritche S. Sabado
Telephone No.: (632) 897-8808 connecting all departments Fax No.: (632) 897-4793/897-4794 E-mail: libre_pdi@inquirer.com.ph Advertising: (632) 897-8808 loc. 530/532/534 Website: www.libre.com.ph All rights reserved. Subject to theconditions provided for by law, no article or photograph published by INQUIRER LIBRE Varsity Wars may be reprinted or reproduced, in whole or in part, without its prior consent.

SAM Marata of La Salle (left) dribbling off Oping Sumalinog of Ateneo

son, he avoided parties as he knows drinking and allnighters wont do him any favors. Luckily for him, his friends know this so there is no pressure for him to party all night long. But when its off season (for UAAP) and I have more free time, I prefer to go to the beach, said Marata, who, at 6feet-3-inches is one of the tallest guys in his team. I love to travel, too, if the opportunity presents itself. Marata grew up with basketball in his DNAwith a father, Tata Marata, a PBA player during his time; and two uncles and a cousin who also played for the professional basketball league, he was bound to love the game himself. But he insists his father never forced him to play. In fact, it wasnt until he was in high school at the UP Intergrated School in Diliman did he take the game seriously. Back then, he was at 5-foot, 6inches, already one of the taller ones in his team. Asked why he didnt join the Maroons, and instead went to the Archers, he said a factor was that the latter was first to approach and recruit him. Plus, he said, a change of environment looked attractive. Today, after three seasons with the Archers, Marata admits it still feels weird whenever he sees himself on TV during , replays of UAAP games. But, somehow, he had grown accustomed to it. One of the more popular players in his team, Marata has hundreds of fanson and off the court. A lot of times, people ask to have their pictures taken with me after the game. They also give me food, especially

By Kenneth M. del Rosario

IKE any other basketball player, Sam Marata dreams of having a long, successful professional career at the sports that has been part of his life since childhood. But if, for whatever reason, that does not work out, he can always go to law school.
tedious. The 16 members of the La Salle team go to training every day, after school (usually 4 or 5 pm) for three to four hours, where they do drills, exercises, and practice games. With his busy schedule, Marata said hed rather just stay at home and relax during his leisure times. When time permits, he goes to the movies or watch shows like How I Met Your Mother and Entourage on TV He also spends a . lot of time playing NBA or FIFA video games on his PS3. Marata isnt the biggest party animal either. A month or two before UAAP sea-

As De La Salle Universitys (DLSU) shooting guard, Marata is perpetually balancing school work where he is taking up psychology as a pre-law courseand practice time. With La Salle celebrating 100 years since its foundation in the country, Marata admits to feeling more pressure to grab the championship trophy this year. We try to play our best every game and hope for the best results, said the 22year-old. Now, more than ever, we train and practice hard so the whole team is in prime condition. During UAAP season, training could be

AUGUST 26-31, 2011

LONG, SALVA

Double
By Ruth L. Navarra
One cant claim that they are the star players of the team. Mainly because its so hard to name stars from a squad whose members can explode anytime and mercilessly rain down points against any other team. The two define themselves from their teammates with their leadership and finesse when they play on court. They seem to possess nerves of steel. They dont get rattled easily, not even when their team is behind by a few points. Kirk Long is, undoubtedly, a favorite among the female population. Online surveys name him as the hottest player in the UAAP Next to Chris Tiu, hes . got the most number of punfilled posters. Its normal to read posters with No one escapes the LONG arms of three-points and Its a LONG road but were getting there. He keeps his fans mystified and charmed with his choice of hairstyles. He dyed his hair black before their game against the UST Growling Tigers. He says that the last time he had a black hair was back when he was really young. Im changing it back (to blonde) because the fans are loving it. I am changing it back for them, he says with a smile. Its easy for him to change styles because his sister is a beauty school graduate. She likes to experiment on him. People who know him always describe him as a very nice guy. The mood is always lighthearted when you catch him for a talk after a game. Hes probably the only rookie who, since day one, had a solid block of fanshis family. Its easy to spot them-a group of blonde, blue-eyed Caucasians marching around the

trouble
Black says that hes an allaround player able to assist and set-up his teammates whenever they need it. He adds that the only thing that Salva has to continue working on is his outside shot. He says that it was something that the player did not have when he first came to Ateneo from San Beda high school. Working hard is something Salva is comfortable with. He says that the coveted four-peat championship is all about hard work. Kailangang magtrabaho. Sa tatlong championship namin, lahat yun pinagtrabahuhan namin. We had to sweat for it, he says. He is the steady, reliable workhorse who takes the shot when needed. He comes to the training and practices earlier than his teammates just so he could do more repetition in lifting weights. He also runs regularly to improve on his stamina. He says that there is no room for complacency because the competition gets better every year. It is their responsibility to make sure that they stay at the top and lead the pack. Dapat mas pumupokpok kami at mas ibinibigay lahat. Hindi pwede kung ano kami years before eh ganun pa rin hanggang ngayon, he says. He only thinks about their upcoming games on the day itself. At a time when theyre on the dugout, the coach is discussing the plays, and the game a few minutes away. He says that he likes to keep calm and keep his mind free. Part of the routine, of course, is praying the night before the game. Eating pasta three hours before the game also helps him prepare for it. He also adds that for the extra energy needed, he eats the treat provided for the team one hour before the gamepeanut butter sandwich. He reveals that the game against the FEU Tamaraws was a wake-up call for him. He says it was one of the most memorable games that hes ever had to date. The Tamaraws gave them quite a scare when they took his team to overtime. Buti na lang nanalo kami. Parating sinasabi sa akin na hindi dapat makuntento sa mga previous wins. Were not used to being behind but that game also showed the character of the team, he says.

IRK Long and Nico Salva are just two of the many reasons why the record of the Ateneo Blue Eagles is still spotless.
venues in blue jerseys with Long 12 written on the back while they search for their seats. They never missed a game. They were advertising him to everyone way before he showed the world what hes got. But Long is not just a poster boy for the Eagles, either. Hes got mad shooting skills. Whenever hes open, hes got the green light to shoot but his focus is not on that. His focus, just like the rest of the team, is on the defense, says Ateneo coach Norman Black. Kirk is our best defender against perimeter shooters. He gets the dirty job every single game. Whoever it is the best perimeter player on the other team, he knows how to defend them. Long is deadly on the threepoint line and to keep him uncheck is detrimental to a teams campaign. Hes almost unstoppable once he heats up during the game. Hell keep on shooting those threes and keep on making them. When asked on how they would deal with the De La Salle Green Archers on Saturday, Long shakes his head and smiles. He says they have to deal with the UE Red Warriors first before they start thinking about La Salle. But when pressed, he says that they will never underestimate La Salle. Thats the worst thing that we could do right now. He also adds that they are not worrying about sweeping the elimination rounds. Weve swept the eliminations when weve won all our games until the last, he says.

KIRK LONG

HOT
LONG on the attack never fails to elicit attention from the female population.
AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Salva has moves that will make Kobe Bryant proud. The 64 small forward was one of the participants in the basketball camp the NBA cager held a few years back. The clinic took only half the day but it seems Salva took a lot of notes. Hes been touted as one of the most fundamentally sound player in the league. Nico has been a major player right from the start. Hes a very good offensive player. He has pretty much developed everything else on the game. Hes very good in the foul line, says Black. To prove his coachs word, Salva made all his free throws on their game against UST last Saturday where he was hailed as the best player of the game.

NICO SALVA

SALVA-TION
NICO Salva can make the big plays.
AUGUST DELA CRUZ

AUGUST 17-30, 2011

Bilog ang Bola

YYY
CAPRICORN

By Hormel Delata

Improbable
PPPP
YOU know how there are moments in your life when you tell yourself, it cant get any better than this? For some, it may be a day in the beach under perfect sunshine. For others, it might be hanging out with old friends. For you students out there, it might be spending an entire day with the cutest girl or guy in campus. For me, the 198889 season of the UAAP qualifies as that kind of a moment. I was a sophomore for Ateneo and we beat La Salle for the mens championship. And it cant get any better than this. It was even more special for me for another reason: I got to play solid minutes in my sophomore year than I did as a rookie. Playing behind then starting guard Jun Reyes in my freshman year ate up a lot of playing opportunities for me. The memory seems hazy now. But I do remember one thing: I was on the court during the crucial stages of the match and had a hand in the turnover that sealed the outcome for us. I remember pressuring La Salles Dindo

Akala mo kaya mong magutom uli?

Bola lang pinapasa, hindi responsibilidad

Ipagbati mo agad oras na mag-aaway

OLSENS DAY
Olsen Racela
Pumaren into losing a crucial possession that iced the title. Beating La Salle for the UAAP title and then actually playing a key role in the championship. It definitely doesnt get better than that.
HHH

YY
AQUARIUS

Hindi ka talaga magaling sa tayaan

PP PPPP
Konting inspirasyon lang pala kailangan mo

Sige, pag nahuli ka ng mister niya...

Babayaran ka nila para Wag mong aayusin malaman nasa isip mo kung hindi naman sira

YYYY
PISCES

Gusto mong mapansin? Apakan mo ang paa

YYYY
ARIES

Kain ka ng karne, medyo afford mo na

PPP
Mag-ingat sa kulay orange

Referee siya, player ka Kung mahihirapan, di pwede maging kayo kumuha ng manager

YY
TAURUS

PPP
Maraming mawawala kung hindi ka sisipot

Pangit siya sa picture, sa totoong buhay rin

Y
GEMINI

Ngayon na bumili ng Christmas gifts

PPP
Uminom buko juice bago maglaro

Smile lang girl kahit ma-foul ka ng BF mo

YYY
CANCER

Huwag mag-alala, may paraan ka

PPP PPP
Kung ano man ang ginawa, yun na yon

Makakalulon ka ng bola next month

May madidiskubre kang Saka na mag-solo, murang kainan, yehey! kailangan mo ng team

YYY
LEO

Dont move pag lumapit Magsa-sabay-sabay pasok ng pera siya, para charging siya

YY
VIRGO

PPPP
Sa dulo mo sila sorpresahin lahat

Pa-girl ka diyan eh laki Kasasara mong bank ng adams apple mo acct. mabubuksan uli

YYY
LIBRA

PPP
Kapag inantok, sumipsip ng calamansi

Kung ano man ang gagawin, yun na yon

YYYY
SCORPIO

Tatawa na rubber shoes mo mamaya

PP
Mananakaw mga plano ninyo sa next game

Makikita mo na lahat ng gusto niyang ipakita

YYY
Love:

Money:

PP
Career:

Mag-ingat sa babaeng Wag linisin rubber shoes Nasa hips ang sikreto SAGITTARIUS nangangagat ng labi para di halatang luma ng wastong paggalaw

The reason for all this nostalgia is because Ateneo and La Salle are going up against each other again. And in the tradition of both schools hardcourt hatred for each other, it should be another slam-bang affair. I remember I used to get nervous every time we were going to play La Salle. Even from the locker rooms, you can hear the crowd cheering and you can eel the electricity buzzing. Of course, on the court, your instincts take over. You zone out on all the chants and everything that happens in the crowd. But once the game is over and the result sinks in, the thing that makes the rivalry

special washes over you: Every loss is more painful. Every win is a whole lot sweeter. I get asked a lot about my take in this season Ateneo-La Salle part II. People ask me who I think will win. Seriously? I mean how many of you out there really expect me to say La Salle? Just kidding. But really, ask me a thousand times and youll get the same answer. Ateneo. By a mile. It will be a huge upset if La Salle wins.
HHH

But you see guys, thats what makes the UAAP and this rivalry special. I say Ateneo will win because of the obvious edge in manpower that my Eagles have over those Archers. But even if one school has its weakest roster and the other has its strongest, once these two teams meet on the court, everything is equal. Trust me. Ive not only played in enough Ateneo-La Salle games to know that. Ive also watched enough games to be an au-

thority on that matter. Theres no weak Ateneo team when its playing La Salle, just as there are no weak Archers squads once they face the Eagles. I remember there was this phase when Ateneo basketball was on a slump and we were getting beaten left and right by other schools. La Salle, on the other hand, had a powerhouse roster very few in the league could match. The Archers were up there and the Eagles were down there. But when the two teams played at the Araneta Coliseum, the difference in manpower didnt matter. The Eagles were making shot after shot after shot. In fact, shots that the Eagles could not make even during warm-ups or practices, we were making easily. We ended up with what the press described as an improbable victory that time. For me, it wasnt improbable. And while a La Salle win this time would be an upset, it also wont be improbable. In the world of the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry, thats simply how the ball rolls. the blue and white. Thats why along with Ravena, Kirk Long, Nico Salva and Eman Monfort, Slaughter feels its four-peat or bust. We have to look at it in a way that we still have to go 110 percent to win the championship, said Slaughter. We cant be too confident. With Slaughter playing an MVP season, and a fourth straight title on the horizon, confidence should not be a problem.

One shot for Slaughter

By Mark Giongco

REG Slaughter has equipped the Ateneo defense with an armor that no opponent has broken through so far.
The seven-foot Slaughter, who is currently leading the MVP race after the first round, has succesfully backed all that talk about him being a central figure in the Ateneo title defense. And if you have any doubts about that, understand that the Blue Eagles havent lost in the UAAP since the Slaughterhouse set up

camp in Katipunan. A transferee from the University of the Visayas, Slaughter is averaging 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks for a pacesetting 65.14 statistical points. Hopefully I can help the team win a fourth straight championship, but as I said, its not going to be easy, said Slaughter. Help is clearly un-

derstating his worth, as Slaughter has more than just his towering size to offer. The Smart Gilas national team mainstay has more than proved his worth on both ends of the floor with his array of offensive moves around the paint along with his intimidating presence in the low blocks, so much so that if altered shots are tallied as blocks he would

easily average doubledigit swats a game. But as dominating as Slaughter is, he knows he still hassome work to do. And the road to that elusive four-peat is not going to get any easier with teams like Adamson and Far Eastern University showing theyre capable of staying toe-to-toe with the Blue Eagles.

SLAUGHTER
Slaughter, who is playing in his lone year of eligibility, has just one shot to do big things donning

AUGUST 26-31, 2011

DLSUS TIFF ATENDIDO

Super Girl has no room for error

the fourth quarter. And my director told me bawal. But at the same time as a fan and coming from the school it really gets to me personally, very upsetting, she said. Im just happy to be there for the team, you got to cheer them up somehow. Tiff, who is taking up law at DLSU, also recalled some of her not-so great on-cam moments. It was game three of the finals, UE was already losing, ang laki na ng lamang ng Ateneo, so right then and there parang alam ko na matatalo na, so I was crying and it was caught on video, she recalled. And sometimes, the lack of familiarity with the other teams players can cause awkward times such as Tiffs blooper in an interview with Ateneo big man Justin Chua. The interview was great until I thanked him by saying: Thank you Nico Salva, she said. I didnty realize it at first so I was smiling in front of the cam, and Justin was like hindi ako si Nico Salva. Good thing it was taped. Back to the serious side of things, Tiff said she isnt the sporty type and not knowing any sport is testament to that. I dont even know how to swim. So what got her into this? When I was in high school my dad would bring me to (watch) the games and whenever we cant watch it live because of school, wed watch it on TV and I see these , girls reporting. And when I watch live, I was at the corner so I see them preparing, said Tiff, who studied Legal Management also at De La Salle. Tiff had to wait longer than she expected before finally getting to call courtside for her beloved Green Archers. When I was in third year, I applied and they asked me if I could do NU, I said I just want La Salle. The next year they gave me UE and I was okay with it because I really wanted the job. And I was happy because we were able to get into the finals, she recalled. I skipped last year because I havent adjusted yet to law school. [This year] I had to go through the auditions all over again and when they told me, Tiff assignment mo La Salle, ay talagang happy. Tiff has yet to consider courtside reporting as a career but in case law school wont work she sees news casting as an option. I didnt really go into this thinking about this [as a career] I just really wanted to be a courtside reporter.

By Mark Giongco Inquirer.net

And you can say the same to Tiffany Atendido, the Green Archers beaming courtside reporter, when she reports on the spot with absolutely no room for error in front of millions glued to their television sets. Tiff, who started her courtside duties with the University of the East back in 2009, has had her taste of taking part in arguably the fiercest rivals in basketball. To begin with, there was so much pressure to it. Ive reported during the UE-Ateneo finals but I didnt feel that pressured as compared to the Ateneo-La Salle game in the first round, she said. Tiff is known as Super Girl in Facebook. I mean, ilan ba nanonood ng Ateneo-La Salle and mga alumni ang nanonood and these people know what theyre

AAP stars like Kiefer Ravena and LA Revilla to name a few know that an Ateneo-La Salle encounter is pressure-packed.
watching and they can really criticize you. So sobrang pressure, she added. And Ive been raised by a La Sallian family, so the rivalry is already in my blood ever since. And for her, the toughest part is drawing the line between being a reporter and a fan. Ang sarap manood pero at the same time I remind myself of my job. I mean I cant be biased, I just have to say whats going on with the team, she said. I cant shed out emotions. Though Tiff admitted that at times, she fails to control her emotions especially when La Salle absorbs a heartbreaking setback. Just like its last game against UE when the final-four hopeful Archers fell, 69-74. I was crying already during

Ang sarap manood pero at the same time I remind myself of my job. I mean I cant be biased, I just have to say whats going on with the team, she said.

AUGUST 26-31, 2011

Blooming Jaz eyes perfect take

By Celest R. Flores, Inquirer.net

EPORTING in an Ateneo-La Salle game can be as nerve-wracking as playing for one of the archrivals but its nothing Ateneos blooming courtside reporter Jazmine Reyes cant handle.
munications student, has to worry about. But when you actually are the one standing in front of the camera, each 20-second spot report is also a test of ones ability to grasp the situation and a natural understanding of the game-and the team youre reporting about. I always go to the practice, I see how much they work hard, shared Jaz. Nahawa ako kay Coach Norman [Black] na he believes in the team so much. Sobrang laki ng tiwala ko sa team. And with that shes seen so far, La Salle will give her alma mater good work out as they clash anew in the second round. Im still very true to the Atenean way, but I dont neglect the fact that La Salle is a very good team. I think its good that the Blue Eagles are challenged, Jaz said.

Still, with every error amplified by the millions watching the gamelive or on the boob tubeReyes keeps her fingers crossed for a perfect take. The first time I reported for an Ateneo-La Salle game, I think I screwed up one of my reports shared Jaz, as she is known to many. Umiinit talaga sa Araneta Coliseum sa dami ng tao. Heat. Pressure. Just some of the things Reyes has to deal with when the next EaglesArchers derby comes along. I think it [pressure] pushes me to do better, because there are so much people counting of me, and looking at me. I dont want to let them down, she said. From the view of the television screen, it might look as though looks, projection and the ability to deliver spiels in a perfect twang are the only things Reyes, a sophomore com-

The first time I reported for an Ateneo-La Salle game, I think I screwed up one of my reports shared Jaz, as she is known to many. Umiinit talaga sa Araneta Coliseum sa dami ng tao.

AUGUST 26-31, 2011

ATENEO VS DE LA SALLE

By Lorenzo Manguiat

Numbers will TELL!

THE second round meeting between eternal rivals Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University marks the 77th time that the two squads will collide in the UAAP mens seniors basketball tournament.
La Salle still leads the head-to-head series, 34- 32, but Ateneo has won eight of the last nine encounters, including the first meeting this campaign last July 16, 81 - 72. Round one of the most celebrated college rivalry in the country will be best remembered by the coming out party of Eagles rookie Kiefer Ravena, who torched the Archers for 22 of his game-high 24 points in the first half. Ateneo erected a lead as large as 19 (58 39) late in the third quarter, but in true La Salle fashion, the Archers managed to trim down the deficit to as low as five (75 70) before six straight free throws by Emman Monfort eventually put the game away. While many have argued that one throws away numbers when these two bitter foes clash, there were quite few telling statistics that provided evidence why the blue side prevailed. five has only averaged 33 points.

BENCH SCORING
On the flip side, La Salle has the best bench production as the Archers second stringers, led by sophomore guard Jarelan Tampus, have provided 38.6 point per outing while Ateneos bench is dead last with only 16.7 points produced per game. In the first round meeting, La Salles bench outscored Ateneos bench. 27 - 12, but it wasnt enough to make up for the 24 point disparity in the starters scoring

FAST BREAK SCORING

This seasons Ateneo squad has at times looked like it seemed more suited to a track meet than a basketball game. In the first encounter Ateneo outscored La Salle, 15-6, in fast break points.

FREE THROW SHOOTING

Whether Ateneo gets help from officials may be another matter altogether, but the Eagles not only know how to get to the charity stripe, but they are highly efficient when comes to converting shots from the fifteen foot line. The Eagles average a little over 27 free throw attempts a contest and they have converted a leaguebest 75 percent of their charities or get a little over 20 points from the line. Coach Norman Blacks wards went 23 for 30 in the first meeting.

STARTERS SCORING
Led by Ravenas offensive explosion, the Ateneo starters outscored their La Salle counterparts, 69-45. Except for LA Revilla, who led all La Salle scorers with 22 points, no other Archer starter finished in double figures. Through nine games, Ateneos starting unit has been the best in terms of offensive production as they have averaged 57 points per outing while La Salles first