Archers aim high; Eagles sing the blues

MANILA, Philippines - Erased from the title picture, last year’s champion La Salle and top seed Ateneo go back to the proverbial drawing board to plot a mighty rebound in Season 78.

The Archers saw their reign cut short by a buzzer-beating trey by Mac Belo in a 64-67 setback to Far Eastern U while the Eagles fell again to No. 4 National U, 63-65, as the archrivals suffered the same fate in the closely fought semis.

“Back to the drawing board and hopefully prepare better for next season. Try to avoid injuries,” said DLSU coach Juno Sauler.

He said injuries and health issues that hit playmaker Thomas Torres, big men Norbert Torres and Arnold van Opstal, among others, eventually took their toll on their bid for back-to-back.

“It was a tough year for us, we could have been better if we’re healthy but there was a time in the first round also where 10 players lang ang nagpa-practice. It was hard. Even those 10 weren’t 100 percent healthy,” said Sauler, who will lose  senior players Norbert Torres, Almond Vosotros and Yutien Andrada from his current crop.

It will be a short rest for the Archers as they compete next in the PCCL.

“Part of our homework is to find also good recruits from high school, who can play right away next year, aside from the guys undergoing residency but we’re not sure also if they can make it, it really depends on how they perform in the offseason,” said Sauler.

It’s a time for picking up the pieces, too, for the Eagles.

“Though we weren’t able to go all the way, I think we were able to do something for ourselves this season,” said coach Bo Perasol, whose wards became the No. 1 team after missing the semis the previous season.

Kiefer Ravena allayed fears he is planning to waive his fifth playing year next season when he posted on Twitter: “Will be back next year.”

“Sakit, being number one kami  (It’s painful because we’re the top seeds). Although we overachieved already by doing that, hindi yun yung goal namin; short kami sa goal (we fell short of our ultimate goal),” said Ravena.