WITH the UAAP Season 87 just around the corner, the reigning and defending champions De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers are ready to start fresh and compete as they did last year.
The UAAP greeted its eager fans when the league held its Basketball Press Conference for the upcoming season yesterday, September 4, at the Novotel Hotel in Cubao, Quezon City.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
The eight participating schools were all there, represented by their basketball coaches and players; but the DLSU was the center of attention for the whole afternoon.
Coming back from a victorious Season 86, the green and white community has high hopes, especially with Kevin Quiambao, the returning UAAP S86 Most Valuable Player.
Back to square one
Despite being the reigning UAAP champions, DLSU head coach Topex Robinson believes that this season would be a new beginning for the university, and that they are no longer the team that won the title last season.
“Season 86 is a history, and nobody can take that away from us, we’ve won that season, but we’re not the champions anymore. What we want to focus on is how to be champions again,” said Robinson.
Robinson stressed that the team will require time to establish its footing and progress along the road. The Taft-based squad has also lost numerous key players from their championship group, but they are nevertheless excited to begin the season.
Graduated players include Mark Nonoy, Evan Nelle, Francis Escandor, Ben Phillips, and Jonnel Policarpio, who have been vital all season leading up to the finals versus the University of the Philippines (UP).
“It’s something we’ve prepared for, and it’s something na excited kaming lahat, because this is gonna be an exciting season. We’re just excited to face this season with a solid front,” he added.
New season, same mindset
Despite already possessing a title, Robinson wants his players to start the next season with the same mindset: staying as hunters rather than hunted.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
“It’s always the same [mindset], we always try to be the best that we could be. We should really do well to represent our program to the best of our ability, and come in prepared,” Robinson said.
“After winning a championship, akala ko may changes, but it doesn’t [change]. It’s still gonna be the same, there’s still a lot of opportunities not only for me but for the rest of the coaching staff to try new things.”
“We’re gonna make mistakes along the way, and I love how we grow through those mistakes, and you’ll see a lot of innovation in our program. A lot of experiments along the way and everybody’s ready for that,” the tactician added.
The DLSU Green Archers will make their long-awaited return to the hard court on Sunday, September 8, at 6:30 p.m., against the tenacious NU Bulldogs at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
