A green and mean fighting machine.
The De La Salle Green Archers on Wednesday continued their undefeated run in the second round of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament after fending off the FEU Tamaraws, 80-70, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Green Archers and Tamaraws had a back-and-forth affair up until the early parts of the fourth quarter.
Consecutive buckets by boys from Taft allowed them to distance themselves from FEU and pick up their 10th win of the season.
Raven Cortez had another stellar outing with 16 points in 17 minutes, while Mark Nonoy added 15 points. MVP frontrunner Kevin Quiambao chipped in a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.
“I’m just happy na undefeated pa rin kami this second round,” Cortez said during the postgame press conference. “If we can keep continuing to stick to that system na coach Topex (Robinson) and other coaches gives us, talagang magtutuloy lang kami.”
Even with one more game left in the elimination round, this will be La Salle’s best record since 2017.
Nonetheless, Robinson said they are not focused on the milestone.
“We will not define this team with that record. We reminded everybody that there’s more to life than this basketball game. Ang ayaw lang namin, mawala ‘yung enjoyment sa game,” said the well-spoken mentor.
The former PBA player also turned philosophical about what it will take for the Green Archers to continue their dominant form in the tournament.
“The reason we’re successful is because again, I have to be a broken record here, but as long as we enjoy each other’s company,” said Robinson.
“We know that it’s going to be a hard road from here on, we just want to make sure we’re always gonna be ready,” he added.
The Green Archers will face bitter rival Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, as they look to give themselves a shot for the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.
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The Tamaraws, meanwhile, will try to notch a final win as they look to exact revenge against the hapless UST Growling Tigers.
(PM)