Archers face Eagles, Slaughter

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo will bring in its big lethal weapon against La Salle to show that this is the encounter and the league that matter, far from its showdown last summer, where the Archers took a steal of a win.

The Archers went through extra period to pull off a 62-59 decision in the pre-season league that somehow gave La Salle some morale boost when they meet the Eagles led by Greg Slaughter.

The 6-foot-11 Slaughter mans the paint for AdMU when the rivals bring over their feud to a new venue, the Mall of Asia Arena, in today’s UAAP Season 75 men’s basketball tourney.

“We beat Ateneo without Greg Slaughter in the pre-season and with him around, Ateneo is very strong,” said DLSU coach Gee Abanilla.

“It’s gonna be a tough one, La Salle is a very tough team,” Ateneo coach Norman Black said.

Carrying identical 2-1 win-loss cards, the Blue Eagles and the Green Archers meet at 4 p.m. with the victor maintaining No. 2 position behind unbeaten Far Eastern U (3-0).

Two other projected contenders, host National U (2-1) and University of Santo Tomas (1-1), mix it up in the 11 a.m. curtain-raiser for the day’s explosive double header.

“We have to figure out a way to play them (La Salle) offensively and defensively and we’ll also try to keep our players fresh for the entirety of this game and somehow ready to go,” said Black.

The Ateneo mentor is referring to his wards’ tendency to relax in the second half, something that led to their 70-71 setback to UST last July 19. The Eagles, though, bounced back strong and played relentless ball for 40 minutes the next time, routing the Bulldogs, 89-65, six days ago.

The 6-foot-11 Slaughter (13.3 ppg, 9.3 rpg and 3.3 bpg) is expected to make a big difference in Round 1 of AdMU-DLSU – if he can stay out of foul trouble.

“It will help us a great deal if he can stay on the floor,” said Black of his prized slotman who was forced to sit out crucial minutes in their blown game against UST due to fouls.

“Greg and I talked about how to stay out of fouls that referees are likely to call, working on his pivot without leaving his elbow.”

Norbert Torres (9 ppg, 10 rpg, 2 bpg), Jovet Mendoza (8.3 ppg, 4 rpg) and Yutien Andrada (6.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg) are likely to have their hands full containing AdMu’s big guy.

After a meager six points in their 46-48 loss to FEU, DLSU’s rookie swingman Jeron Teng (12.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.3 apg) is tipped to play a factor against the Ateneo team also bannered by Nico Salva (17.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and Kiefer Ravena (15 ppg, 3 apg).

Ace guard LA Revilla (13 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 5.5 apg) who missed the Archers’ last game due to tendonitis, is expected to be back, along with Luigi dela Paz (benched on coach’s decision), according to a DLSU sports official.