BY ABBY TORALBA
A GATHERING of champions.
Members of five previous La Salle champion teams received their championship rings last Monday night at the Henry Sy Sr. Hall Grounds in La Salle at Taft.
The Green Archers from the 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2016 winners received their rings during the event dubbed “Animo Champions.”
Present during the occasion were La Salle legends such as Renren Ritualo, Don Allado, and Jeron Teng and champion coach Franz Pumaren while the current Archers five led by tactician Topex Robinson also showed up.
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, who served as the captain of the 1998 and 1999 squads, bared the objectives for the ring ceremony.
“Dalawa iyong objectives actually, No. 1, is to give recognition to the players who have sacrificed and persevered to bring honor and glory to De La Salle University by way of winning championships,” Zamora said.
“The second is, it’s very important, we hope through this ring ceremony, we can inspire the current basketball team to push themselves very hard to win the championship (this year).
Gusto namin maging inspirational para sa kanila ito,” he added.
Allado, a two-time UAAP champion, two-time UAAP MVP, three-time UAAP Mythical Team, and two-time UAAP finals MVP, expressed his gratitude for receiving their long-awaited rings.
“I’m very honored. It’s been a long time coming. We’re able to reflect on what we did in 1999 and celebrate the 25th, silver anniversary and we’re very fortunate that La Salle and the alumni are doing this for us,” Allado said.
Ritualo, a four-time UAAP champion, four-time UAAP Mythical Five member, 1997 UAAP Rookie of the Year and 2001 finals MVP, paid tribute to teammates and Pumaren.
“I won’t be here without my teammates. Lahat ng credits go back to my teammates. Alam ninyo naman na my life wasn’t easy inside the floor. Kumbaga, it was really physical back then. My teammates were there to back me up and help. I’m giving it back to my teammates,” Ritualo said.
“I won’t be here without them, and, of course, coach Franz and his coaching staff who really guided and coached us really well during games and practices.”
Pumaren, who steered the Archers to five crowns, gave a big boost to the La Salle side set to battle the University of the Philippines for the 86th basketball tournament diadem beginning in Game 1 of the best-of-3 series today.
