Today Tabloid

MANILA, Philippines – Franz Pumaren just wanted to take it one game at a time when La Salle battles Far Eastern University in their own “best-of-three" series in the UAAP. He just wanted to focus first in their playoff match before thinking of the semifinals.

The defending champion Green Archers and the Tamaraws will clash in a first of a possible three games on Thursday in a playoff for the no.2 seeding and the twice-to-beat bonus in the final-four. They begin their semis match on Sunday and if necessary, the teams face-off once more on September 18 in a knock-out match.

Pumaren, however, remains optimistic that his Archers could pull it through against the Tamaraws. “I am looking forward for this “best-of-three" series. I am excited and the team is excited and we believe we can play better. The team is in high spirits."

La Salle and FEU split their elimination round match up with the Archers winning their first meeting, 73-62, and the Tamaraws returning the favor in the second round with an 83-75 decision.

JV Casio erupted for 29 points, eight rebounds and three steals in La Salle’s first round victory while Rico Maierhoffer added 11 points, grabbed 17 rebounds and had three block shots.

Marnel Baracael was the only FEU player that finished in double figures with 14 markers.

In the second round, where FEU missed the services of Baracael, Mark Barroca scored a season high 26 points in leading the Tamaraws to an 83-75 win. Barroca also had seven rebounds and two steals while Benedict Fernandez and Reil Cervantes added 14 and 13 each.

Guard Jens Knuttel scattered 11 points and issued seven assists also for FEU where its 83-75 win over La Salle was part of a five-game winning run in the second round.

Maierhoffer topped La Salle’s scoring in that loss with 18 points, 13 rebounds and three assists while Casio finished with 15 markers and four assists. James Mangahas came off the bench and scored 14 markers.

Both teams boast of a strong starting unit and a host of role players. “It’s hard to say of our outcome against FEU. We ended up 1-1 after the elimination round. We don’t know which team has the advantage."

While La Salle has the backcourt duo of Casio and LA Revilla, FEU has the explosive tandem of Knuttel and Barroca. The Archers have outside gunners Mangahas and Peejay Barua, the Tamaraws have Fernandez and the returning Baracael. Maierhoffer will man the paint for La Salle and FEU will counter with the bull-strong Cervantes.

Alvin Villanueva, Joshua Webb, Simon Atkins, Bader Malabes, Hyram Bagatsing and Ferdinand will offer quality minutes for the Archers while at the other side of the court the Tamaraws have Marlon Adolfo, Aldrech Ramos, JR Cawaling, Paul Sanga, Edgar Tanuan and John Alisbo.

Pumaren also remains positive with Casio, who had one of his worst games in La Salle’s 65-57 loss to rival Ateneo on September 6. “JV hopes to bounce back after that game against Ateneo. He sure will have his usual game next time and he will make up for that lousy game."

Pumaren said he’s not yet thinking of an Ateneo-La Salle finals series. “I don’t know what will happen with the Ateneo-UE series. I am just looking forward of facing FEU."

La Salle holds a 2-0 card in playoff games and has appeared 13 times in the final-four since the UAAP used the format in 1994. The Archers also won five titles in the 12 times they made it to the finals. – GMANews.TV