La Salle Green Archers celebrate UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball championship. –UAAP PHOTO
La Salle is the reigning king of UAAP men’s basketball—technically, at least.
“We’ve won that season 86, but we’re not those champions anymore,” La Salle coach Topex Robinson said on the sidelines of the league press conference on Wednesday at Novotel Hotel in Cubao, Quezon City.
The Green Archers, who ended a six-year wait for a crown after defeating University of the Philippines in three games in last season’s Finals, lost several key standouts from that champion crew: Mark Nonoy, Evan Nelle, Francis Escandor, Ben Phillips and Jonnel Policarpio.
La Salle remains formidable, though. Reigning MVP and program cornerstone Kevin Quiambao will spearhead a squad that includes holdovers Michael Phillips, CJ Austria, Joshua David and EJ Gollena.
And as for its prized recruits who will dress up this season, the Green Archers are confident they will deliver.
“We’ve created a program or a culture wherein we are solid with our pillars. Everybody knows that if you come to [La Salle], we’re gonna introduce you to our culture,” Robinson said.
Among the new pieces are Doy Dungo, who was plucked from the UST (University of Santo Tomas) program, Vhoris Marasigan, Filipino-American Alex Konov and one-and-done player Lian Ramiro.
The goal is clear for the Taft-based squad.
“What we want to focus on is how to be champions again and it’s something that we’ve prepared for and something that we are all excited for,” Robinson, who led La Salle back to glory in his first year at the helm of the program.
“We’ve created a structure wherein we’re just gonna plug and play players in. If you are good enough really to be at home with what we are trying to build, you’re gonna thrive,” he added.
Other teams have also beefed up their rosters such as Far Eastern University with new coach Sean Chambers now heading the program. Pido Jarencio will also be unveiling a brand new squad that is truly his.