Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Brandon Bates shows why he is part of the Green Archers


There was much hype surrounding Brandon Bates as the De La Salle University Green Archers entered the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Basketball Tournament. But even if Kiwi student-athlete Taane Samuel went down, the 6-foot-9 Filipino-Australian saw limited minutes, averaging just 2.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 13.7 minutes of action.

But that could not keep a good man down.

“I just go in every game, with the same mindset,” shared the 21-year-old.

And it would certainly help to have a pep talk with your mentor.

“Actually, yesterday I talked to him. Before the game I spoke to him that with the effort he’s giving, he has to commend himself,” disclosed first-year head coach Louie Gonzalez. “I told him that every time you get the offensive rebound and you see the ring, I want you to take the shot.

“Because this guy will do everything, not just on scoring, to help this team.”

In a virtual must-win game against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, Bates delivered for the Green Archers.

UAAP-81-DLSU-vs.-FEU-Bates-1334 Brandon Bates shows why he is part of the Green Archers Basketball DLSU News UAAP  - philippine sports news

Bates was part of the last five of the Green Archers on Saturday evening. With his tall frame, he was able to stifle the Tamaraws, swatting away shots while gobbling rebound after rebound.

He ended the day with seven points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks – his best game in his young UAAP career. Moreover, he was pivotal in La Salle’s 65-57 win that kept the Green Archers in solo third in the Final Four race.

“This game, I had a little bit of coffee before the game, a bit more energy. It’s something I’ve read about pro players,” shared the eloquent rookie.

“They’re not always gonna be starters, they’re always ready to play when coaches ask them. That’s really it.”

This outing might be the result of the talk he had with Gonzalez that gave him a boost.

“I’m not too confident in myself but it’s nice to know that the coaching staff, the managing staff, and the players all have confidence in me to step up and do what I need to do and not be the primary scorer but to really help in other ways, so it’s nice,” beamed Bates.

“He’s a winner. That’s why he’s part of this team,” closed Gonzalez.

#ReadMore  Bryan Bagunas stays hot, powers NU Bulldogs past La Salle
Written By




You May Also Like

Basketball

De La Salle University erupted for a scorching third quarter to keep its unbeaten streak alive, while National University locked in the final UAAP...

AdU

La Salle kept its immaculate record intact in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive, steamrolling Far Eastern...

Basketball

De La Salle University is doubling down on its trust in head coach Topex Robinson. Robinson has signed a fresh three-year extension that will...

Basketball

Jacob Cortez was having himself a game against National University last Wednesday in the Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup. The transferee from...

AU

In a testy, physical showdown between UAAP rivals, La Salle held off a furious late rally from National University to stay unbeaten in the...

Basketball

Matthew Rubico is coming home. The 5-foot-11 point guard is returning to where it all began, transferring to Lyceum of the Philippines University to...

Basketball

A day after parting ways with National University, Nigerian center Collins Akowe has narrowed his choices for the next chapter of his young basketball...

Basketball

From Gilas Youth to La Salle Green Hills to the University of the Philippines, the trio of Seven Gagate, Joshua Coronel, and Luis Pablo...

Advertisement