AFTER hitting the target in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup, La Salle is now training its eyes on the big prize — the 85th UAAP basketball tournament set to kick off on Oct. 1.
Green Archers coach Derrick Pumaren is convinced his team can only get better.
“That’s why we’re here,” Pumaren said. “We joined this tournament to be a better team and not only to be a better team but to be a championship-caliber team in the UAAP.
“Of course, there are still some things that we have to check, probably iyong defense namin sa rotation, sprinting back on defense because sometimes we forget about that. On offense, we just have to be more patient,” he added.
Pumaren spoke after his wards whipped fancied Marinerong Pilipino 91-78 two days ago in the titular game of their best-of-3 finals battle to bag their maiden crown in the developmental league.
The runaway win in the deciding match enabled La Salle, carrying the colors of EcoOil-La Salle, to atone for its 67-72 loss in the series opener last Aug. 21. The Archers struck with big victories in the next two games, counting a 70-63 decision in Game 2 nine days ago to also gift Pumaren his first title in D-League play.
Schonny Winston fired 16 points, grabbed five boards, and issued five assists for La Salle, while Michael Phillips notched a double-double of 15 markers, 16 boards, and three dimes.
Mark Nonoy and Evan Nelle also had 15 and 13 points, respectively, for the Archers.
Pumaren said the Taft-based cagers’ resolve still needs improvement.
“This is one thing I wanna work on — closing out games, games that we need to win. We fell short against UP (in the last UAAP cage wars),” Pumaren said.
“We won the first game in the Final Four, but we could not close it out. This is a part of the program and we’re working on it. I’m pretty sure that it will toughen the team.”
With a squad expected to be bannered by the likes of hardworking big man Phillips, Winston, Nonoy, Nelle, CJ Austria, and blue-chip recruit Kevin Quiambao, Pumaren gushed at La Salle’s chemistry.
“We’re right there. I’m happy with the way they are executing. There’s chemistry. They’re moving the ball. I think we had 23 assists today,” he said. “It goes to show you the chemistry is there. We just have to keep on improving it so when it comes to the UAAP, we’ll be a totally different team.”
