For Mason Amos, trading the Blue and White of Ateneo for the Green and White of La Salle was never meant to be easy — it was meant to be transformative.
The 21-year-old Fil-Australian’s transfer from Ateneo de Manila University to arch-rival De La Salle University immediately ignited scrutiny and online debates, amplified by the UAAP’s modern era of player movement, where loyalty is often questioned before a single game tips off.
The backlash was intense, but Amos chose to focus on what mattered most: patience, resilience, and his ultimate goal on the court.
By the time the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament reached its climax, all that perseverance bore fruit.
In the winner-take-all Game 3 against University of the Philippines, Amos rose to the occasion. He hit crucial free throws while locking down defensively down the stretch to propel La Salle to an 80-72 victory, securing the school’s second championship in three seasons.
(C) UAAP Season 88
“Oh, definitely,” Amos said when asked if the move from Ateneo to La Salle was worth it.
The victory helped La Salle claim its 11th UAAP collegiate men’s basketball championship and become only the second team in the Final Four era to win it all as the fourth seed. And for Amos, this personal triumph validated every risk that came with the controversial transfer.
“People can say what they want, but I’m a champion. That’s going to be history,” the 6-foot-7 forward added, finishing with 11 points, four assists, three rebounds, and three blocks in front of 24,339 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday evening.
“No one can take that away from me.”
Amos’ journey was far from smooth.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Midseason, he was sidelined for seven games due to a Grade 2 medial collateral ligament tear in his right knee. That setback initially projected him to miss the remainder of the elimination round.
“I had days where I wasn’t motivated, days I thought I might not play basketball again,” he admitted.
“That’s the honest truth. But I kept praying, kept my head high, and it was worth it.”
Drawing on the resilience he honed through his transfer, Amos defied the odds, returning to the floor before full strength and helping lead La Salle to glory.
“Again, that MCL injury was probably the hardest trial I faced this year. I was actually shocked that I recovered so quickly, but it’s thanks to the doctor and PTs who got me back on the court,” he said.
“I was able to play in the Finals and the Final Four, and it felt amazing.”
