Despite dropping their first assignment against San Beda, the De La Salle Green Archers piled up three straight wins to rise in the FilOil preseason standings. Amongst the new faces in the preseason tournament to play for the loaded Archers was Joshua Torralba and Larry Muyang, who were also a part of the team’s PCCL run that ended with a bridesmaid finish.
Torralba, who missed the tail-end of the PCCL games due to a bothering knee injury, shares that he felt great to be back on the playing court with the Archers.
“It was good. I finally got my feet back and all while removing the jitters of course [months after their last tournament] since I haven’t played in a while but I just think positive about it and at least there’s progress.”
In the opening game day loss, Joshua scored five points against the Red Lions. However, he has been steady in the team’s next three wins wherein he scored in double digits in all games and averaged 11.7 points in the stretch. Furthermore, Torralba has been a constant starter in Coach Juno Sauler’s preseason roster.
“It’s really good playing for the team again. I missed playing and I haven’t played in this gym [FilOil Arena] for three years. The lights, the fans, everything.” Torralba reminisced.
Their first loss of the tournament proved to be a lesson as Torralba and the rest of the squad had a chance to beat San Beda. Tied during the dying seconds of regulation, teammate Jason Perkins had a shot inside to win the game but unfortunately rimmed out. Prince Rivero had a chance for a putback, but also failed to convert. For Joshua, it was a good learning experience.
“It was a nice play for Prince. He got a good rebound and a good putback. I was already there, and felt like celebrating. Of course, whatever happens, happens. But, it’s really productive today and we’ve learned from it. That’s already progress.”
For Muyang, on the other hand, the preseason games has the same importance in terms of proving his rank in the talent-filled roster of the Green Archers. In addition, he felt the need to improve more on his game to further solidify his role in the team.
“Para sakin, lahat ng game namin mahalaga. Kung sa laro naman, sana ma-improve ko pa yung shooting. At sana more aggressive pa.”
The Pampanga-native Muyang was quiet in La Salle’s first two games with only two points combined but has slowly chipped in the contribution offensively with ten and eight markers in their wins against UP and UE respectively.
Furthermore, Larry added that these preseason matches give them the progress they needed heading into the bigger stage saying “Lalo na yung sa UAAP kasi mas mahalaga yun. Kasi dun na makikita talaga kung gaano ka kagaling at katalino maglaro.”
Torralba, Muyang and the rest of the Green Archers will try to extend their winning run to four straight wins as they face the visiting Southwestern University Cobras on May 23, Saturday, at the FilOil Arena in San Juan City.
