Having faced La Salle before in the preseason, National University big man PJ Palacielo already had an idea of what to expect the next time the Bulldogs faced the Green Archers.
Both teams met again on Sunday in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament and Palacielo seemed to have it all figured out. ‘Since our preseason games, I was already stressing how I’d get through the La Salle defense,’ Palacielo said on Sunday after giving NU a big lift in an 82-78 victory over La Salle at Quadricentennial Pavilion that hiked the Bulldogs’ league-leading record to 5-1.
‘They throw out zones, double or even triple teams so earlier, I just visualized whatever situation the coaches would give me,’ he added.
Palacielo was a spark off the bench, scoring 16 points on 60 percent shooting from the field. He also came up big on the defensive end as he had a hand in slowing down La Salle’s dynamic forward Mike Phillips. Phillips still registered 15 points and 16 rebounds, but he went just 6-of-14 from the field and fouled out late in the game.
‘They told me they’d give me the ball and it’s my responsibility to handle the ball when it’s with me,’ said Palacielo. ‘I just read what they were doing until I got my confidence.’