FILE–La Salle Green Archers’ CJ Austria in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — CJ Austria could make his return in La Salle’s game against rival Ateneo on Sunday after missing the defending champion’s first two wins in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament due to a shoulder injury.
La Salle coach Topex Robinson said that they are not rushing Austria’s recovery but the two-way guard can make his comeback against the Blue Eagles in the first first meeting of the rival squads this season.
“We’re looking at playing him this Sunday against Ateneo, so that’s something he’s getting ready for,” the La Salle coach said after his team went 2-0 after clobbering Adamson 82-52 on Wednesday.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball
“As long as we can keep CJ fresh, hopefully, he makes it sooner, but we’re not really rushing him. We know mas mahalaga sa amin na he’s doing not really 100 percent. But knowing he’s gonna be ready to give us any support we need. He’s still under rehab and he’s doing well. We can’t wait to have him on the court.”
Austria was an instrumental cog in La Salle’s title run last year, but even despite missing the first two games La Salle has found some fresh faces to rely on outside of its star Kevin Quiambao.
READ: UAAP Finals: La Salle’s CJ Austria brushes off crowd’s boos
Robinson lauded Doy Dungo, who had a perfect three-point shooting night to finish with 15 points against Adamson, as well as EJ Gollena and Vhoris Marasigan for stepping up in Austria’s absence.
“As much as possible, we want to keep him fresh, as long as so far these guys are doing well. Doy, Vhoris Marasigan is doing well. We’re riding off also EJ Gollena’s great start,” he said.