Almost halfway into the season, La Salle Green Hills currently sitting at the middle of the pack with a 2-2 win-loss record good enough for third place.
The only problem with this is they are sharing the spot with five other teams such as San Beda – Taytay, San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Jose Rizal University, Lyceum – Cavite, and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, all having the same record.
That is why according to La Salle Green Hills’ head coach Renren Ritualo, his squad needs to grow up quickly to avoid any difficulties at the end of the elimination. After all, it is a shortened season with only one round.
“Well siyempre to be honest, they have to go up quickly, they have to mature quickly,” the Green Archer legend told Tiebreaker Times.
“I know it is very demanding pero ano e, yung format ng tournament is very short so we have to fast track everything.”
After starting 0-2, the Greenies are slowly but surely finding their rhythm as they won their last two games at the expense of the Junior Pirates, 95-84, followed by an escape win against Arellano University, 73-69.
Ritualo gave credit to his squad after winning those games but said that there is still a lot to work on.
“I love the maturity that they’ve shown in the last few games kasi yung composure ‘andon,” he said.
“There is a lot of potential and a lot of upside with this team. Ang dami naming upside pero ang dami pa din namin kailangang i-improve,” he continued as his team has a bunch of Grade 12 kids, headlined by Gilas Youth stalwarts Luis Pablo and Seven Gagate.
“That’s the good part there. Hindi pa kami nagpi-peak.”
If looking for the right time to peak, tomorrow’s matchup against the defending champions is definitely a good one as it will be a true test of character to the boys in green.
“We have to be aggressive and we have to win those fifty-fifty balls. We have to do those little things kasi those little things matter a lot,” said Ritualo when asked how they are going to prepare against the Red Cubs.
