Last season’s silver medalists De La Salle University Green Archers will look to implement what they have learned in South Korea so far, as they are set to figure in the 2018 Asia-Pacific University Basketball Challenge in Seoul, Korea.
The pocket tournament will feature six teams in the week-long event.
But more than winning, what first-year head coach Louie Gonzalez is looking for from his team is to have shared moments that will carry them through the UAAP grind.
“This is really big. Kasi aside from game elements, yung shared moments mahalaga eh.
“Especially itong team na ‘to, madaming bago ko eh, na from different cultures – some from high school, dalawa galing sa ibang bansa,” shared Gonzalez. “So I’ll take the opportunity as well na gumawa ng mga activities na mas makilala nila yung sarili nila, kasi sabay-sabay eh.”
After missing the BLIA Cup last month, team captain Kib Montalbo is set to make his return for the Green Archers.
On the other hand, Encho Serrano will make his debut.
Completing the DLSU contingent are Aljun Melecio, Andrei Caracut, Justine Baltazar, Taane Samuel, Brandon Bates, Mark Dyke, Jollo Go, Santi Santillan, Miggy Corteza, Gabe Capacio, and Joaqui Manuel.
The five other teams competing are host Yonsei University, University of California – Irvine, and university select teams from Russia, Japan, and Chinese-Taipei.
La Salle begins their campaign on Sunday, August 5 against Japan-select at 2:30pm. The top team after the round-robin tourney will be crowned as champions.
The Green Archers finished in fifth place during the BLIA Cup in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.