Black to field strong first 5 -but not Franz

For Franz Pumaren, it’s not how you start a game, but how you finish it.

This probably explains why Pumaren, in his 10 years as head coach of La Salle, has kept some of his best players from starting a game, even when there’s so much at stake.

“To me what’s more important is a strong finish,” said Pumaren heading to the opening game of the best-of-three title showdown between La Salle and Ateneo in the UAAP.

Keeping the starting lineup open, Pumaren added, also keeps the opponent guessing.

“Yes it’s difficult because Franz doesn’t always start his best team,” said Norman Black, more predictable with his starting lineup in his four years as head coach of Ateneo.

While Black would normally go to Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Chris Tiu, Ryan Buenafe, Nonoy Baclao and Jai Reyes for his starting five, Pumaren has his starters only known to his staff.

Only JV Casio and James Mangahas started for La Salle in all 14 games in the elimination round, Joshua Webb 13 times, Simon Atkins 10 times and PJ Walsham six times.

Rico Maierhofer, the team’s second-best scorer after Casio, never started a game in the elims, as well as PJ Barua, a consistent performer who would normally close a game.

“Barua probably is their best small forward but Franz doesn’t start him. Maierhofer is their best big man but Franz doesn’t start him as well,” said Black, still in search of a UAAP crown.

“We get more points from our starters but they get more from their bench than we do,” added Black, of course counting on Al-Hussaini, Tiu, Baclao and even Eric Salamat.

He said it’s a must for these players to deliver in the finals.

“For you to win a championship your key players have to be playing well at the same time. There’s no way we can beat La Salle if those four players aren’t playing well in the championship series.

“But of course you need support from the other players. But these key players must step up in crucial times,” he said.

Still, the American mentor said stopping La Salle’s big guns would be the key.

“It’s Casio, Maierhofer and Mangahas. These are the key players for La Salle. If you can’t control them you can’t stop them. There’s no question about that,” said Black.

“Particularly JV Casio. There’s no stopping him but if we can control him then we have a chance of beating them. Rico is very athletic, very difficult to stop going to the basket as well as being a good defensive player.

“Mangahas is the X-factor because if he plays well they normally win. He’s that buried offensive threat. You add Barua who opens up the court for La Salle. If he’s on it’s very difficult to beat La Salle,” the Ateneo coach explained.

As for Maierhofer and Barua, they just might start the game this time.

“Well, I’m not supposed to say this but they’re gonna start on Sunday,” said Pumaren.