Entering the season, many questions lingered regarding how the De La Salle University Green Archers would fare in the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The off-season had been turbulent for the Green Archers, as they lost Ben Mbala to the pros, Aldin Ayo to the University of Santo Tomas, and Ricci Rivero to the University of the Philippines. All three were pivotal pieces in La Salle’s silver finish in the UAAP Season 80 tourney.
Compounding their problems, the Green Archers – who only had 13 student-athletes fielded for the season – lost Taane Samuel just 10 minutes and 50 seconds into the season.
Still, the Green Archers fought on.
“Yung puso nandun talaga. Again, basta as long as nandiyan yung heart, nandiyan yung effort, we will compete,” said first-year La Salle head coach Louie Gonzalez.
Behind Santi Santillan, the Green Archers fought tooth and nail with the battle-tested Far Eastern University Tamaraws – even taking a 56-55 lead with four minutes left in the game.
“Santi naman, siyempre, it’s automatic naman eh. The kid really plays hard. He always plays with effort.,” Gonzalez remarked about the graduating forward, who had 19 points and 11 rebounds in the game.
However, the Tamaraws’ experience overwhelmed La Salle late, as they fell 61-68.
Still, Gonzalez was incredibly proud of his wards.
“These guys right now they are all equal eh. That’s what I preach eh – it’s the equal opportunity,” he said.
“We haven’t reached the stage yet. Alam ko naman eh. If you always give players equal opportunities, later on may mag-blossom diyan eh. Tapos they’re gonna figure out kung kanino talaga dapat ibigay yung bola.”
But beyond his players, this experience is also a learning process for Gonzalez himself.
“This is my responsibility sa team ko, responsibility ko sa community, responsibility ko sa mga managers. Personally, I want to improve, I want to improve more.
“Gusto ko pa i-develop ung sarili ko especially alam naman natin this is the UAAP eh. The reason why I’m here, being the student of the game, that I keep always working hard siguro. Itutuloy ko pa rin yun,” he declared.
