The Dream Game: Blue vs Green

The DLSU Green Archers soundly defeated the AdMU Blue Eagles in
yesterday's Dream Game. It was a nice bday gift for coach Franz Pumaren.
(image by Leslie Sy/InterAKTV)

DLSU GREEN ARCHERS over ADMU BLUE EAGLES, 117-104

*Unless otherwise specified, all images are by Paul Mata/InterAKTV.com

“We really made sure to be the better team today. We got the win and we’re even,” – Barako Bull’s Don Carlos Allado after the Green Archers thoroughly dismantled the Blue Eagles.

I’m still in the process of convincing myself this is okay.

It IS an exhibition.

It WAS for charity.

No titles at stake.

It was neither the UAAP nor the PCCL.

Heck, it wasn’t even a Filoil Preseason game.

And it didn’t even feature the current crop of Archers and Eagles who are destined to meet when the collegiate basketball season starts anew.

No, it shouldn’t mean anything.

But, somehow, on some level, it still does.

Somehow, on some level, it still sucks that the PBA La Sallians beat the PBA Ateneans.

And it wasn’t even close, not after the Archers finished the 1^st half with a nice run. Not after it seemed everyone in green could shoot from anywhere on the floor.

I have to admit, they were better. Much better.

Which, somehow, on some level, strangely enough, makes it okay.

Because the Archers can be better all they want… during exhibition games.

But when it comes to the games that count, we’ll be better.

I hope.

On a brighter note, just the fact that a game like this can happen is a testament to the greatness of both schools’ basketball programs. I counted 13 Ateneans and 13 La Sallians (2 players from each side didn’t play, though). That’s 26 pro ballers from just those 2 schools. That’s just about equivalent to 2 PBA teams already! Awesome.

Still, would’ve been more awesome if the Eagles had won! J Peace! J

After the JUMP – the compressed game recap from PBA.ph:

La Salle’s heroes of yesteryears came out in their old green jerseys unleashing flaming arrows to make their school proud.

Mike Cortez and the rest of the Greenies
were on-target.
(image by Paul Ryan Tan/InterAKTV)

Don Allado, the oldest at 32, was also the meanest, providing spark, energy and inspiration as the Green Archers shot down the Ateneo Blue Eagles in a charity match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.

Allado, a 13-year PBA veteran now with Barako Bull, delivered a game high 23 points that went with 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal for the Archers, who stopped the Eagles’ domination of their rivalry – at least in this reunion game. The 6-foot-7 center was adjudged the Best Player of the Game.

Mac Cardona produced 20 points and 7 rebounds and seven other Archers put in at least 8 points each as La Salle avenged an 85-88 loss to Ateneo in a similar reunion game in 2005.

The two teams fought to a 90-all draw three years later.

LA Tenorio knocked in three triples and finished with 20 points while Rico Villanueva, Japeth Aguilar, Larry Fonacier and JC Intal chipped in at least 13 each for the losing team

Behind key runs in the second and third quarters, the Archers built an 87-63 spread and never looked back for the convincing triumph. It was a lopsided win that gave La Salle something to crow about in answer to Ateneo’s domination of the UAAP in the last four years.

The Archers made good use of their quickness to offset the Eagles’ huge size. Surprisingly, La Salle even outrebounded Ateneo, 57-42. Allado and company also shot better, hitting at a 52.4-percent clip as against Ateneo’s 47.2-percent shooting.

Renren Ritualo, Cardona and Allado teamed up in a 14-2 closing run that gave La Salle a 62-48 cushion at the half. Cardona was perfect from the field in the first half, knocking in one trey and five twinners to lead all scorers with 16 points. Allado added 14, including a three-point play off Aguilar. The La Salle player scored off his gangling Ateneo defender in a good spin move then mimicked a (Denver Broncos’) Tim Tebow pose to the delight of the Archers crowd.