DLSU Wins #2 in the same blow-out style

Maierhofer and La Salle Drive in High Gear
by JP Abcede

All of Adamson University’s bases belong to De La Salle University. The Green Archers pawned AdU, 99-75, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on July 14 for their second straight lopsided win in the 2007 UAAP men’s basketball season.

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Rico Maierhofer scored all of his 17 points in the first half to put the game away as early as the second quarter. He already registered a double-double by the turn with 13 rebounds.

“Rico dominated the game,” said DLSU coach Franz Pumaren. “He asserted himself.”

Joseph Casio led the Archers in scoring with 19 points on 4/5 three-point shooting, while also feeding six assists and grabbing five steals. Maierhofer had two more rebounds to finish the game along with three assists, two thefts, and two blocks.

James Mangahas continued his strong play with 15 points, while Pocholo Villanueva had ten and four assists.

“We prepared for the two guys,” Pumaren was referring to Adamson’s main men, Patrick Jan Cabahug and Roel Hugnatan. “My team took its toll on them.”

Nevertheless, Cabahug had 31 points, was perfect on the freethrow line, and hauled 11 rebounds. Jerick Cañada and Leo Canuday were the other double digit scorers with 13 and ten, respectively.

Hugnatan felt the brunt of the De La Salle defense, getting only limited touches, ending the match with eight points, two rebounds, and four assists on 34 minutes of action.

Other key stats were DLSU’s hustle points where they had 12 second chance, 27 turnover points, and 34 fastbreak points. They also had 27 assists, compared to Adamson’s 18, and 13 steals. The green and white’s waterloo remain to be their freethrow shooting at 53%.
In the first half, the Falcons committed 14 errors.

“We played well, they played bad,” reasoned Pumaren on the onslaught of the Soaring Falcons. “It is a very young team.”

Adamson was the one first off the starting block with Paul Gonzalgo swishing a teardrop from the lane, 12-9, 4:44. Then the Falcon engine sputtered as DLSU revved up theirs with their running game.

Villanueva pump faked for a quick basket inside, which was followed by a Maierhofer fastbreak slam to produce the contest’s final lead change, 13-12, 3:05 in the first. After the AdU bench sued for time, Maierhofer intercepted a pass from the backcourt and went for another two-headed jam to commence the Muralla-based squad’s downfall.

The Falcons’ field goals came sporadically in the second period while the Archers scored in bunches. Maierhofer’s three from a Tyrone Tang kickout 4:13 in the clock made it 38-20 as Casio whooshed two three-pointers of his own in the final minute.

“We are at our best when we push the ball,” Pumaren remaked regarding their endless pressure despite enjoying a comfortable deficit.

Tang’s freethrows 7:27 in the third made it an unreachable 30-point ballgame, 59-29. Brian Ilad’s one of two at the line was the Archers’ largest distance, 92-57, 4:39 of the fourth.
Pumaren described their next opponent, Far Eastern University, as “Rookies in classification. Their rookies have college experience already.”

Adamson, on the other hand, would have University of Santo Tomas next on their to-do list on July 19.

“The real test will be the coming games,” Pumaren foresaw. “We have a tough schedule the next two weeks. Hopefully, we can sustain the run.”