DE LA SALLE GREEN ARCHERS
UAAP Season
82 (2019) record: 7-7 5th place.
Coach: Derrick Pumaren (1st
Season)
Subtractions: Jaime Malonzo, Matthew James Laput, Keyshawn Evans Andrei
Caracut,
Decommitted: Aljun
Melecio, Brandon Bates, Encho Serrano, Tyrus Hill, Jordan Bartlett, Joel
Cagulangan (transferred)
Holdovers: Justine Baltazar, Ralph Cu, Francis Escandor, Donn Lim, Kurt
Lojera, Joaquin Manuel,
Additions:
Transferees: Mark Nonoy, Evan Nelle, Deo
Cuajao, Paul Turco,
Team B: Deschan Winston, Bright
Nwanko (FSA)
Rookies: Michael Philips, Benjamin Philips, Raven
Cortez (DLSZ), Aaron Buensalida (NU), Penny Estacio (FEU), Emman Galman (UPH) JC
Macalalag, CJ Austria (UE)
What might have been:
Amadou Ndiaye, Joshua Ramirez, Cameron Vales,
Background: The
Green Archers are coming off two fifth place finishes and many Coaching changes
that saw Louie Gonzales and Jermaine Byrd take the lead in season 81 & 82. Unfortunately for the Archers, they were one
win short of making it to the final 4 as a stroke of bad luck caught them in Season 81with
Taane Samuel missing a lot of games. In season 82, losing two winnable games
against UE & UP prevented them from making it to the final four. This is
the first time the Archers missed consecutive final fours.
Key changes:
DLSU lost a lot of key players with Malonzo, Laput, Evans
& Caracut using up their eligibility, Melecio
& Serrano opting to go pro, Hill, Bartlett & Bates opting not to return
& Cagulangan transferring to UP. The Big factor in DLSU moving forward is getting Coach Derrick
Pumaren whose foresight & experience is unmatched in college basketball. Upon
getting the nod as head coach, Coach D went to work right away by way of
recruiting and next to UP, DLSU got a good chunk of recruits here and
abroad. While Justine Baltazar’s act of
returning is commendable, it will definitely be a last year to remember since
he will be joined by exceptional guards with Mark Nonoy, Evan Nelle, Deo Cuajao
& Penny Estacio leading the way. To complement Baltazar is a towering frontline
with Michael & Benjamin Phillips, Raven Cortez and Bright Nwanko, all
standing at least 6-7. Key rookie contributors
will be Emman Galman who came from Perpetual Help and CJ
Austria from UE. Both were Juniors standouts from their respective teams. Returning
for the Archers are Ralph Cu, Francis Escandor, and Donn Lim. Kurt Lojera and Joaquin Manuel will most likely be given
bigger roles this year with their experience.
Outlook:
Justine
Baltazar’s performance with Gilas was phenomenal and since it’s his last year you
know he will go all out to unseat the champs. Knowing Coach D, the Green Archers
will haunt you with their pressure defense, pummel you inside with their huge
frontline while Nonoy, Nelle and Cuajao sneak in those three pointers. This
team has the necessary tools to make it to the top, the only question is what DLSU
team will show up in the final four? Will it be an Archers team at its peak or
a team still groping for form? Knowing Coach D he will make the necessary adjustments to put the Archers on top.
Prognosis:
The Green Archers
will return to the final four this year. The archers match up well with every
team and is poised to make a run to make it beyond the final four. If the Archers
get any of the twice to beat positions, it will most probably be a return to
the finals since it will be hard beating this team twice. In the finals, its anybody's ballgame.
photos from UAAP Varsity Channel and DLSU Page
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