After sealing their spot in the semifinals, defending champion La Salle brace for tougher games ahead in UAAP Season 87.
There’s no letting up for defending champion La Salle after the Green Archers sealed their place in the Final Four of UAAP Season 87, following their 70-45 win over the Adamson Soaring Falcons at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Saturday, October 19.
Currently leading the league with a 9-1 slate, the Green Archers have looked unstoppable since their first round hiccup against UE, currently riding a 6-game winning streak.
[RELATED: La Salle seals Final Four spot after blowing out Adamson in UAAP men's basketball]
But with four games remaining before they move on to the Final Four, the champs are not looking to get their foot off the gas pedal any time soon.
Led by a no-quit mentality from reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao, the Green Archers continue to look for ways to improve as they face the daunting task of retaining their crown against an eager field of challengers.
“We’re very happy na nakuha namin ‘yung Final Four spot pero tulad ng sinasabi ni coach [Topex Robinson], marami pa kaming kailangan i-improve and then move on sa next game namin,” Quiambao said.
“Focus lang sa kung anong kaya namin i-focus, one game at a time lang kami lagi pero sobrang happy kami na nanalo kami ngayon,” he added.
Role player Joshua David, who came up with an efficient 11-point outing on 4-of-5 shooting against the Soaring Falcons, mirrored Quiambao’s sentiments and underscored that teams will continue to adjust as the second round goes along.
Having their fair share of tough challenges from their fellow title contenders — including a stinging loss to UE in the first round — David believes that La Salle can’t afford to slack off.
“Syempre sobrang saya rin na makuha namin yung spot pero kumbaga sa mga next game namin need pa namin mag-focus eh kasi lalo na niyan sa second round kumbaga yung mga ibang team naga-adjust na eh so dapat ready lang kami,” he said.
And ready they’ll have to be come their next game on Saturday, October 26, where they face perennial rivals Ateneo in their second round encounter at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Even as the Blue Eagles struggled mightily in the first round with a 1-6 slate midway through the season, they have slowly gotten their bearings and are currently on a two-game win streak.
Understanding just how motivated their foes can be — especially a rival like Ateneo — both Quiambao and David are cautious of how they’re going to play when they match comes.
After all, it’s different when it’s Ateneo-La Salle.
“Yung mindset naman ng team namin is focus kung ano yung next and then prepare lang kami nang maayos pero before yun pahinga muna kami kasi pangatlong laro na namin sa week na ito. Overload na yung katawan namin, ayun lang yung mindset lang siguro na every game treat lang as a championship game,” said the reigning MVP.
“Kasi nung nakaraang few games namin medyo pilit kami pero this game na-execute namin yung system namin and then nothing but respect sa Ateneo, kay coach Tab. Alam naman natin na kahit ganyan yung standing nila iba yung nilalaro nila pag La Salle kalaban so ayun sobrang excited din ako.”
David, meanwhile, agreed while also noting the importance of staying in the moment even as the Final Four looms ahead.
“Yung sabi lang din ni KQ na dapat every game championship yung preparing namin kumbaga kasi knowing na Ateneo yun eh so dapat need lang din namin mag-enjoy,” he said.
During their first round encounter, La Salle drubbed their long-time rivals in a twin-digit victory, 73-61. There, Quiambao finished with a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds.