Fil-Oil Cup 2013: Ateneo versus La Salle

It’s the time of year again when Ateneo and La Salle measure swords, and size each other up before the start of the UAAP season. The FilOil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup summer tournament will have the much-awaited ADMU-DLSU tussle as its last elims game on Saturday, 4pm, at the San Juan Arena. This will be the first time this year that the two celebrated foes tangle with their new rosters that include some prized recruits.

The Blue Eagles, of course, have dominated the UAAP in the last five years. And so it’s safe to say that since 2008, they have been the favored team over the Green Archers. But it seems that the tables have turned this year as La Salle paraded in the FilOil with what looked like a much-enhanced line-up compared to Ateneo's, which lost some key players. So for the first time in five years, the Archers are favored to win this match-up, which makes Saturday’s game even more interesting.

Also at stake in the game is the No. 1 spot in Group B, as both teams are currently tied at the top with identical 6-1 cards. The winner gets to play the No. 4 squad in Group A in the semis, which will be the loser of the San Beda-Adamson bout in the 2pm game, also on Saturday.

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Key Factors:

1. Play-making

The tandem of Kiefer Ravena and Chuami Tiongson has proven to be an affective one for Ateneo. Both are very smart and skilled, and have won several battles together. This year, both have gained even more experience and are expected to be the true leaders of the Blue Eagles. Nico Elorde seems to have come out of his shell in the Fil-Oil Cup, providing quality minutes for the Eagles, and averaging 10 markers, 2.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. The Archers lost veteran guard LA Revilla, who has been the glue that kept them together in many games. Fortunately, incoming sophomore playmaker Thomas Torres is slowly turning out to be a brilliant replacement for LA. But rookie guards Kib Montalbo and Robert Bolick have yet to show the game that made them highly touted recruits from high school. Advantage: Ateneo.

2. Outside game

When it comes to the outside game, immediately the Ravena-Jeron Teng match-up comes to mind. Both prized players are leading their teams in offense in the tournament. Ravena has been very impressive so far, exploding for a league second-best 20.4 points per game, on top of seven boards, 4.6 assists and 1.4 steals. In the absence of high scoring inside players like Slaughter and Salva, Kiefer has certainly taken charge of the Blue Eagles’ offense. Von Pessumal is likewise a very reliable back up, and has vastly improved from last year. This summer, his norms are 10.9 points, 4.4 boards and 1.1 assists per game. Teng, the Archers’ best scorer so far, collects 11.7 points per game. Almond Vosotros adds 9.6 markers per outing and has the best shooting percentage from the three-ball with 44%. Second-year shooting guard Gabriel Reyes has been the most improved player from the DLSU side, contributing 7.9 points per game. Advantage: Ateneo.

3. Post game

There should be no doubt that the post game now belongs to La Salle. As Ateneo lost their best post players from last year, the Archers bolstered their already towering frontline with a gem of a recruit from the USA. La Salle should have the tallest frontline in all of college basketball this season, with 6’6” Norbert Torres, 6’8” Van Van Opstal, 6’6” Papot Paredes and newcomer 6’5” Jason Perkins. All of them have displayed notable skills inside the paint. Torres and Perkins combine for 19.2 points and 19.9 caroms per game. On the other hand, Ateneo is left with Frank Golla and JP Erram, and two sophomores in Earl Murphy and Gboy Babilonia. Golla has the best stats from among Ateneo's post players, with 5.7 points and 5.6 boards per game. Advantage: La Salle.

4. Transition

Both the Eagles and Archers love to run. Both are averaging about 13 fast break points and 14 turnover points per game. La Salle has a deeper player rotation that allows for fresher legs throughout the game. It also has the edge in rebounding. But Ateneo is always dangerous in the open court especially when Ravena is directing the attack. And with rookie forward Chris Newsome running the break, the Eagles can be dangerous in transition. Advantage: Even.

5. Offense

Only .1 point separates the two teams in offense so far in the Fil-Oil Cup. DLSU is third best in offense with 77 points per game, while ADMU is fourth with 76.9 points per game. But when both teams lock horns on Saturday, we can expect them to bring their A-game on offense. The difference could be how Ravena will perform, or how the Archers plan on limiting his offense. But we can expect new heroes to arise as well from both squads. Advantage: Even.

6. Defense

The Archers are the best defensive team in the Fil-Oil, allowing opponents merely 62 points per game. If your outside guns are rusty against La Salle, it will be absolutely tough to penetrate its interior defense with its imposing big men. Ateneo limits its foes to 69.9 points per game. Advantage: La Salle.

7. Bench

Another La Salle edge is bench depth. This year could be the year the Green Archers start reaping the fruits of their recruitment efforts in the last two years. Now they have a 15-man deep roster, whose third team can easily be starters in another team. So deep is the player rotation that you hardly notice that Luigi Dela Paz and Martin Reyes are still in the line-up. Advantage: La Salle.

8. Experience

This used to be Ateneo’s big edge. But the Archers have matured together since 2011 and have now embraced the system of second-year tactician Gee Abanilla. They now have more veterans than the Blue Eagles, with seasoned campaigners Vosotros, Norbert Torres, Dela Paz, Martin Reyes, Paredes and Jarelan Tampus. Advantage: La Salle.

9. New Faces

Ateneo’s Newsome and La Salle’s Perkins have definitely proven to be vital cogs in their respective team’s campaign this season. The former is a 6’3” small forward who possesses cat-quick dribbling moves and athleticism. He is the Eagles’ second best scorer with 11 markers, and their rebounding leader with 9.4 boards, on top of 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. On the other hand, Perkins is not to be outdone as he too almost averages double-double figures, with 9.6 points and 10.3 rebounds per outing. Advantage: Even.

10. Coaching

New Ateneo head coach Bo Perasol certainly has big shoes to fill after the five straight UAAP titles won by former coach Norman Black. But Perasol is no stranger to college basketball even as he has been in the pros much longer. He has been a head coach in the PBA for at least six seasons before his Powerade team disbanded last year. But his style has always been suitable with the college game, running multiple screens to set-up shooters. La Salle’s Gee Abanilla has been a long-time assistant coach in the PBA but had a brief stint as chief mentor of the College of St. Benilde in the NCAA a few years ago. Like Perasol, Abanilla is a true student of the game and has faired respectably well in his rookie year as Green Archers coach last season. Both coaches bring to the table a lot of flexibility and creativity in game tactics. Advantage: Even.

It doesn't matter though which of these 10 factors can really have a big influence on tomorrow's game. It's Ateneo versus La Salle. Enough said.