After a season at University of the Philippines, Luis Pablo has decided to come home to his green roots.
The NCAA Season 98 Juniors Basketball Most Valuable Player is returning to La Salle, transferring to the Green Archers after representing the Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Pablo, 19, decided to join the Season 86 champions because he felt that he could fulfill his potential under coach Topex Robinson.
“Gusto ko rin ipakita kung ano pa yung mga kaya kong gawin,” he said. “Nakaka-excite na mabibigyan ako ng chance na mas maipakita yun.”
“Sisiguraduhin ko lang na talagang mapapakita ko at hihigitan ko pa yung mga expectations ng mga tao, mas lalo na sa sarili ko.”
It was a stunning turn of events as the 6-foot-7 player was seen as a rising big man who would strengthen UP’s frontline.
Even before the NCAA tournament began in 2023, Pablo – along with fellow La Salle Greenies Seven Gagate and Joshua Coronel – had committed to UP.
However, in his freshman year with the Fighting Maroons, Pablo averaged just 1.5 points and 1.75 rebounds in 9:09 minutes across 16 games played.
Looking to grow further both as a student and as an athlete, he immediately tried to find his way back home to the green and white.
“First of all, we’re very very excited that he’s considering coming back to De La Salle,” said team official Awoo Lacson. “He’s one of our sons in our La Salle program and we want them back. We want them to play for us. We want to win with them. It’s our commitment to help them become winners.
“I think Luis’ abilities cannot be measured at this point. He is full of potential. He will be able to mature to become a very dependable veteran. I think he’s going to help our program be successful for the years to come.”
Pablo is expected to beef up the Archers’ frontline in UAAP Season 88 as it will be Michael Phillips’ final year of eligibility.
Meanwhile, the likes of Raven Cortez and foreign student-athlete Henry Agunnane will be in their fourth playing year by then.
He is the second NCAA MVP from LSGH who will play for La Salle in the UAAP after Prince Rivero. He is also expected and excited to link up with his former NCAA Season 98 teammates Rocco Zamora, Ethan Alian, and Santi Romero, who are in the program’s team B.
Ultimately, it was in Pablo’s destiny to find his way back to La Salle.
“Tiwala ako sa plano ni Lord sa akin,” said the Cavite native. “Pinakinggan ko talaga yung family ko – yung mother ko at yung father ko. Tingin din nila na makakabuti ito sa akin.
“Galing naman ako sa La Salle kaya hindi na rin bago sa akin yung culture dito.”
Pablo joins the likes of former Greenie Jacob Cortez and Junior Archer Kean Baclaan as those who have returned home to the green and white this off-season.
And all three have set their sights on adding to the Green Archers’ winning history.
Together, the standouts are expected to be instrumental in La Salle’s quest for a championship in Season 88.
The pressure may be high but the former Gilas Youth member looks forward to the time he, Cortez, and Baclaan will combine on the floor for the Taft school.
“Sobrang nakaka-excite maging kakampi sila hindi ko pa na-experience eh,” he said. “Magiging exciting. Talagang excited na rin ako.”
