Pumaren, Romero star in Archers’ win over Eagles

The unwanted pounds have obviously slowed them down but the grit, passion and sharpness of the La Salle Archers were still there.

This was evident during La Salle’s masterful 83-72 win over bitter rival Ateneo in the All-Star match of the Fil Oil-Flying V Ultimate Showdown at the Araneta Coliseum last Saturday in a game serving as a perfect appetizer for the coming UAAP wars where both teams are expected to renew their fabled rivalry.

Popularly known as the "Bullet" during his glory days in the pro league, Dindo Pumaren was still a joy to watch as he dazzled the crowd and awed his defenders with his creative plays and daring drives.

Alvin Castro was still sharp as ever and so was former glamor boy Mikee Romero.

Pumaren started La Salle’s onslaught, drilling in eight in a bristling 11-2 run that set the tone for a runaway win.

After Pumaren’s one-man show in the opening quarter, Romero took up the cudgels for the Archers in the second quarter where they slowly but surely pulled away.

The sweet-shooting Romero, who owns Harbour Centre, which is playing in the PBL, buried a triple and then set up a fast-break play that enabled the Archers to post a commanding 25-6 lead.

Also shining for the Archers were Dwight Lago who scattered five points in the third while Castro, Dino Aldeguer and Dicky Bachmann completed what Pumaren and Romero started as they kept the Eagles at bay with clutch baskets and big defensive plays in the payoff period.

Castro topscored for the Archers with 12 points while Pumaren and Romero chipped in 10 and 8, respectively.

Vince Hizon led the Eagles with 18 points.

Actually, it was a double celebration for La Salle as the taft-based squad also triumphed in the Legends showdown, 79-70.