De La Salle University missed the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Final Four after losing in the playoff for the fourth spot to Adamson University.
They both finished at 7-7 after the elimination round.
The Green Archers’ most significant defeats came in two games against lower-ranked University of the East, which finished at 5-9.
That’s why Raven Cortez, a part of the Season 85 team, vowed to seek vengeance against the Red Warriors in Season 86 if given a chance.
“If given a chance” meant a lot, as he was not fielded by the new head coach Topex Robinson in La Salle’s past two games, which they lost by three points to National University and the University of the Philippines.
“Coming into the game, parang promise ko na rin sa sarili ko na if ever na I’m gonna play against UE, I’ll give my best talaga and contribute to the team para manalo,” said the 6-foot-7 big man out of De La Salle-Zobel.
Then his opportunity came. After playing just three minutes in the first half, where he scored two points, he was given another chance in the second half.
There, he made his biggest impact as he erupted with 16 second-half points, five rebounds, and three blocks in just 10 minutes of play. More importantly, his significant production helped lift the Green Archers to an 83-75 revenge win over UE on Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
“Syempre, every game talaga, I’m always focused and staying ready, no matter how many minutes I’ll play,” said the former Batang Gilas standout.
“It just happened na ngayon natawag yung pangalan ko and played a great game.”
Cortez, who celebrated his 21st birthday last Monday, embodies the working system of La Salle, according to Robinson.
The way that Cortez showed out after getting two straight DNPs means that the players have already grasped what Robinson wanted them to be when he first came to the team.
“Raven didn’t play for two games prior to this game. Just like what he said, he’s always gonna be ready,” said Robinson, who allowed his assistant coaches to take over in the second half.
“The character that we’re trying to build on this team is everybody matters. Raven just showed that he is a part of this team and he’s willing to contribute in his own little way.”
