Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 4) — In a championship affair, beyond the star cagers, role players have a huge impact in the outcome of the series.
With their backs against the wall, Francis Escandor and Joshua David stepped up for the De La Salle University Green Archers as they hammered out an 82-60 Game 2 victory over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Escandor led the Green Archers’ attack with 14 points on 71 percent shooting from the field in 23 minutes of action as a starter.
\”I’m just really really happy that we got the win. Coming from a big loss, we really wanted to bounce back no matter what. We really wanted to win and we showed it,\” he said in a post-game press conference.
It was not only Escandor who delivered a fine performance outside of the usual suspects for La Salle.
Joshua David, who finished with 12 points, also provided a much-needed spark for the Green Archers as he knocked down four triples to help the Taft-based squad pull away against the Fighting Maroons.
\”It’s a big factor when coach Topex tells us when we’re open to shoot it with confidence. For me as a player, that’s a big boost,\” he said.
According to La Salle head coach Topex Robinson, the defense of his two wards stood out more than the offense because he knows they are capable of shooting the lights out at any time.
\”Those are the shots they’ve been really working on so we just have to give them the green light to really shoot it, and luckily they went in,\” the tactician said.
\”More than that, it’s really the way they defended the guards of UP. Give them the scoring, but what worked for them is defense,\” he added.
