Challenges will be aplenty for La Salle. But with head coach Topex Robinson providing guidance and Gilas PIlipinas mainstay Kevin Quiambao leading the way, the Green Archers can definitely overcome them.
Much is expected from the De La Salle Green Archers come the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
The immense expectations are justified.
La Salle looks like a dynasty on the rise with UAAP MVP and Gilas Pilipinas mainstay Kevin Quiambao leading the Taft-based squad.
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Heading into the season, the defending champions remain as the overwhelming favorites to win it all after an impressive offseason camp that included a PBA D-League championship.
But following the departure of steady playmakers Evan Nelle and Mark Nonoy, as well Jonne Policarpio, Ben Philips and Joaqui Manuel, it seems there’s more work to be done for the Green Archers.
Nelle thought so, too.
“A lot of my boys have to step up. Kasi medyo madami kami nawala,” the NorthPort rookie in the PBA told One Sports.
“There’s a lot of things to improve on looking at the offseason.”
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Challenges will definitely be aplenty in the double round robin season which will be ushered in by the performance from Eraserheads.
Like most championship teams, sustaining that hunger and building chemistry with the new guys at the start of the season will be causes for concern.
“I think they need experience (paying together) eh,” said the second round pick of the Batang Pier.
“Lalo point guards mga nawala e. Daming bago. So a lot of people mangangapa pa yan. After first round dapat paangat sila.”
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But if their offseason conquests in the D-League, Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup, and the World University Basketball Series in Japan are any indications, then there should be nothing to be worried about.
“But they did really good. So many players learned a lot but UAAP is a different ball game. So I hope they will step up,” Nelle said.
Ultimately, Nelle does not think a repeat is far-fetched.
“If tuloy tuloy (improvements), they’ll win it back to back,” he said.
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