DEFENDING champion La Salle is hoping the words of its foremost backer, Enrique K. Razon Jr. of ICTSI, would serve the Green Archers in good stead in the 87th UAAP basketball tournament kicking off this Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Mr. (Enrique) Razon (Jr.) said this clearly that, you know, Season 86 is history, and nobody could take it away from us. We’ve won that Season 86 but we’re not those champions anymore,” coach Topex Robinson said yesterday during the new season’s launch at the Novotel Manila Araneta City.
“What we want to focus on is how to be champions again and it’s something that we’ve prepared for. It’s something na excited kaming lahat because this is gonna be an exciting season just like the other seasons that we’ve played so we’re just excited to really face the season with really a solid front,” he added.
The cage wars’ first duel will pit last year’s bridesmaid University of the Philippines and Ateneo at 6:30 p.m. after the opening ceremonies at 11 a.m. that will be highlighted by a reunion concert of iconic OPM band Eraserheads.
“Our opening ceremony is a celebration of the spirit of unity amid rivalry that defines the UAAP. This year, we aim to celebrate not only the competitive edge of our universities but also the camaraderie and a shared passion that brings us together,” league 87th season President and UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II, LLM, said. “The performance by the Eraserheads, along with other talented artists from UP, will be a memorable highlight as we embark on a season that truly embodies our theme of unity.
“We look forward to a season where the excitement of the games and the warmth of our community create an unforgettable experience for everyone.”
La Salle lost Evan Nelle, Mark Nonoy, Francis Escandor, Jonnel Policarpio, and Ben Phillips due to graduation.
Reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao is expected to show the way anew for the Archers’ drive for a back-to-back along with CJ Austria, Mike Phillips, Joshua David, Raven Cortez, Earl Abadam, and JC Macalalag.
“We’ve created a program or a culture wherein we are solid with our pillars. Everybody knows that if you come to La Salle, we’re gonna introduce you to our culture and iyon iyong what we produce will be the difference, kumbaga we’ve created a structure wherein we’re just gonna plug and play players in,” Robinson said. “If you are good enough really to be at home with what we are trying to build, you’re gonna thrive, you know, and if you don’t, it’s gonna be easy in and out for us.
“So, I think for us it’s not who we have as a team or the players that we have but what culture we are building and the role of the guys that are part of that last year is to keep it alive and how to share it with the guys that we have this year.”
With an impressive pre-season stint, the title is for La Salle to win this year but expect the Fighting Maroons to give the Archers a run for their money while Far Eastern University with new tactician Sean Chambers and National University looming as dark horses.
