Vhoris Marasigan has been playing differently since his return to UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball action following a one-game suspension.
Marasigan, who had only scored 50 points in De La Salle University’s first 10 games, has become a go-to scorer for the Green Archers in their last two outings.
He was handed a one-game suspension after throwing a closed fist to the abdomen of Omar John during La Salle’s 75-67 loss to National University on November 2.
Sitting out the game against Far Eastern University, which ended in an 84-83 defeat, the 6-foot-2 forward came back inspired against Adamson University, posting a team-high 15 points. La Salle, however, fell short again, losing 60-61.
“‘Yung suspension ko, marami akong natutunan doon kasi nung ginawa ko ‘yun nagsisi rin ako sa sarili ko eh,” said Marasigan on Saturday after playing another crucial role for the Green Archers.
“Nag-sorry din ako sa mga coaches, sa mga teammates ko and sabi ko lang sa kanila babawi ako. And then ayun nga, bumawi ako sa Adamson kaso na-short nga lang.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Marasigan delivered 17 points, three rebounds, and two assists as La Salle secured at least a playoff spot for a Final Four berth with a huge 87-82 win over defending champion University of the Philippines at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Fourteen of his 17 points came in the second half, bouncing back from 1-of-7 shooting in the first half to 5-of-6 in the second, including clutch baskets that kept the Fighting Maroons at bay.
For head coach Topex Robinson, Marasigan’s emergence is timely, as La Salle has struggled through the tournament with personnel issues caused by injuries.
“With the challenges that we’re having as far as personnel is concerned, anybody that could chip in those little things really means a lot to us,” said the champion coach.
“You talked about Vhoris, we also have to acknowledge rin si Guillian Quines who… We weren’t really sure if he’s gonna be ready for this kind of competition, especially with all the pressure that’s going on, but he provided us the spark and I guess that’s really big for us right now.”
La Salle also faces uncertainty with EJ Gollena’s status for their win-to-get-in game against Ateneo de Manila University, after he was slapped with a disqualifying foul at the 6.6-second mark of the first quarter.
Gollena had thrown a closed fist to the abdomen of Francis Nnoruka, a move reminiscent of Marasigan’s earlier incident.
“I’m not sure if we’re gonna lose EJ for next game but having these guys just being ready for their number to be called is a luxury for us as we go through these final stages of the eliminations and hopefully, heading into the Final Four,” said Robinson.
