De La Salle University aims to have mainstay winger CJ Austria back in action for its rivalry clash against Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday, after missing the first two games of the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The fourth-year forward has yet to suit up for the Green Archers’ title defense, having suffered a shoulder injury during La Salle’s silver-medal finish in the Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament in Davao last July.
Austria then aggravated the injury during the Green Archers’ championship run in the World University Basketball Tournament in Tokyo, Japan, last August.
“He’s still under rehab, and he’s doing well. We can’t wait to have him back on the court,” La Salle head coach Topex Robinson said about the reigning UAAP Men’s 3×3 MVP.
“We’re looking at playing him this Sunday against Ateneo, so it’s something that he’s getting ready for.”
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However, if Austria is not ready to suit up for the Green Archers in their rivalry matchup against the Blue Eagles, Robinson is in no rush to bring back the 22-year-old mainstay.
The former Phoenix head coach will continue to rely on the strong starts of newcomers Doy Dungo, Henry Agunanne, Vhoris Marasigan, and EJ Gollena in Austria’s absence.
Dungo, a UST high school product, bounced back from a poor UAAP seniors’ debut against NU with 15 points on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc.
Meanwhile, Agunanne contributed 11 points and 16 rebounds in La Salle’s wire-to-wire 82-52 win over Adamson.
Vhoris Marasigan also impressed despite limited minutes, scoring seven points, while EJ Gollena’s all-around play helped fill the void left by Austria.
“As long as these guys are doing a good job – Doy, Vhoris Marasigan, and EJ Gollena are all off to great starts – we’re in a good place,” the 49-year-old tactician said.
“We want to keep CJ fresh and hope he returns sooner, but we’re not rushing him.”
