 |
| The Green Archers bid goodbye to their captain. Too bad it had to happen with a loss. (image by Adi Bontuyan/GoArchers.com) |
FEU Tamaraws over the DLSU Green Archers,
66-57
When Simon
Atkins entered the league in 2007, he was coming off the year when DLSU was
suspended. He was a proven player in the UAAP juniors ranks, helping win for
Zobel its first UAAP basketball crown. He was wooed by teams from different
parts of the color wheel, but, as opposed to a couple of other teammates who
chose to shift allegiances, he ultimately chose to stick it out with the Taft
unit despite enduring the “suspension season.”
It seemed
all worth it when La Salle, led by JV Casio and Rico Maierhofer, won the 2007
crown in redemptive fashion. Vindication for La Salle. Exaltation for Simon. It
only strengthened his resolve to stay emerald, and seemed to prove his choice
was the right one.
But after
suffering through the last 3 seasons seeing his alma mater’s arch-rivals take
home the biggest bacon every single time, and having beaten Ateneo only once in
the past 3 UAAP years, Atkins was hungry to end his collegiate playing days in
grand fashion.
 |
| Simon Atkins played well in his final game in Green & White. (image by Adi Bontuyan/GoArchers.com) |
He started a
champion and he wanted to bid farewell a champion.
Unfortunately,
Fate had other plans. Fate had NU beat the Archers last Thursday to formally
oust Gang Green from the Final Four, and Fate had FEU pummel La Salle even
further as Atkins saw his beloved team tumble down to sixth place overall.
Maybe this
was life’s way of teaching him that he couldn’t get all that he wanted. And
though he leaves without any regrets and with his head held high, perhaps
somewhere inside him he is pestered by all the struggles and disappointments of
the past few La Salle campaigns.
 |
| Maui Villanueva also played out his last UAAP match. (image by Adi Bontuyan/GoArchers.com) |
This final
loss to the Tamaraws doesn’t just end DLSU’s season. It may well be the end of
an era. In many ways, this final game, again, showcased the ills plaguing the
program that once lorded it over the UAAP field. The Archers shot poorly from
the line (43%), were grossly outrebounded despite their size advantage (50-34),
and were outplayed defensively (4 FEU steals to just 1 for DLSU, and 6 FEU
blocks to just 3 for DLSU). Of their much ballyhooed big men, only Arnold Van
Opstal and Jovet Mendza bothered to show up. Papot Paredes, Maui Villanueva,
and Norbert Torres all combined for 2 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 1
block. And what about the fairy tale comeback of one LA Revilla? He ended with
a whimper, finishing with just 2 points.
In contrast,
FEU was brilliant, especially in the 2nd half. Their 3 Rs hit their
mark, as RR Garcia, Aldrech Ramos, and Terrence Romeo finished with 19, 18 and
17 points respectively. Mark Bringas and Russel Escoto were solid on the boards,
and the Green & Gold also shot well from the line. It was a good way to
wind up the elims and gather momentum towards a Final Four clash with the Soaring
Falcons.
 |
| Aldrech Ramos and the Tamaraws have gathered momentum on the way to a critical clash with the Falcons. (image by Jerome Ascano/NPPA Images) |
Ah momentum.
It seems the only momentum La Salle has right now is momentum going down. They’re
sinking, and somebody has to right the ship. Does it mean a change in players? In
coaching? Will they land Tim Cone? How about coveted HS standout Jeron Teng?
The Archers will have their offseason work cut out for them.
As for
Atkins, he trots to the sunset, bloody but unbowed, clutching his bow and
quiver, as the crowd greets him and his cohort, “Happy 100 years.”
FEU 66 – Garcia 19, Ramos 18, Romeo 17,
Escoto 5, Cruz 4, Bringas 2, Pogoy 1, Exciminiano 0, Knuttel 0, Tolomia 0
DLSU 57 – Atkins 16, Van Opstal 11,
Webb 11, Mendoza 11, Paredes 2, Vosotros 2, Revilla 2, Marata 2, Villanueva 0,
dela Paz 0, Torres 0, Tampus 0
QS: 14-11, 27-33, 48-47, 66-57
0 Comment