The hardest thing about De La Salle University’s 53-57 loss to Far Eastern University is that the Green Archers’ evening ended before it could even properly begin.
Before the game, the likes of Evan Nelle (suspension), Schonnie Winston (calf injury), and Michael Phillips (diarrhea) were ruled out. Meanwhile, the likes of Raven Cortez (ankle sprain) and Ice Blanco (illness) were also unavailable.
La Salle is already down 3-5 in the standings in the second round of the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Tournament. Now, coach Derrick Pumaren’s wards face an uphill climb if they want to make it to this campaign’s Final Four.
“It was definitely a tough loss because we were missing a lot of players. This is one of the wins we really needed to get to get us over the hump,” said Winston, who remains day-to-day. “At first we were supposed to play UST but that game was postponed. Now it’s the FEU game we were really looking forward to getting a victory and we fell short in this game. Now we’re looking to the next game against Ateneo.
“It showed that we can compete and win even without the three starters missing but then we still haven’t learned from round one where we lost a lot of games in the fourth quarter in the last closing moments.”
Any game against the Ateneo Blue Eagles can make or break La Salle’s season. The Green Archers’ first-round win over Tab Baldwin’s men – their first since 2017 – has proven so far to be a false dawn.
A loss to Ateneo will be a double blow since it’s not just pride at stake during this time of the tournament – it’s also a chance to book a Final Four ticket.
To say that the Green Archers need to step up is an understatement. They need to snap their losing streak – currently running in three games – to get back to postseason contention.
“No matter what the game before or after, it’s still an Ateneo-La Salle game. It’s still gonna bring the crowd, the fans, and it’s still gonna bring the best out of Ateneo and bring the best out of our players,” said Winston.
“I already know that it’s gonna be a dogfight. That’s just how it is… I’m actually looking forward to this game because it’s one of the games you look forward to every year, the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry.”
Winston is in recovery mode after his injury during La Salle’s overtime defeat at the hands of Adamson in the first round. There is still no word when he can return to action representing the Green and White.
Recently, he was declared the leader in terms of being awarded the Most Valuable Player gong in Season 85. His importance to La Salle was very notable considering its offense against FEU looked out of rhythm with him injured.
“I’d rather be called a champion than MVP so that’s what I think about it.
“That’s how I feel about it. I’m really honored to be the top-running candidate but I really also want to contest for the crown itself,” said the Central Michigan University product.
Outside of the UAAP, FIBA has deemed him eligible as a homegrown player.
This allows him to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas down the line as well as count as an Asian import in some overseas leagues.
“I’m just happy to get the opportunity one day to hopefully represent the Philippines and go out there and play hard,” he said.
“Hopefully one day just putting on the (Philippines) jersey would mean a lot to me. I’m very happy about being cleared. Just thankful.”
Winston’s eventual return in La Salle colors will be one to watch with only six games left to go. Hopefully, for the Green Archers’ sake, they will do enough for it to count in a big way.
