La Salle Green Archers - Going Big, Getting Better

DE LA SALLE GREEN ARCHERS

UAAP Season 84 (2022) record: 10-6

3^rd place in Eliminations.

Lost to UP in the Final Four knock-out match

Coach: Derrick Pumaren (2^nd Season)

Subtractions: Justine Baltazar, Ralph Cu, Donn Lim, Kurt Lojera

Decommitted: Deo Cuajao (transferred to Letran)

Holdovers: Francis Escandor, Joaquin Manuel, Mark Nonoy, Evan Nelle, Deschawn Winston, Bright Nwanko (FSA), Michael Philips, Benjamin Philips, Aaron Buensalida, Penny Estacio, CJ Austria, JC Macalalag

Rookies: Raven Cortez (DLSZ), Kevin Quiambao (NU), Earl Abadam (Westfield SHS) Isiah Blanco (UC)

Reserves: Emman Galman, Prince Alao, Joshua David, Nath Montecillo

Background: 

The Green Archers are coming off their best season in three years and were three minutes away from making it back to the finals, Unfortunately, tragedy struck as they were not able to close the deal and succumbed to the pressure as they gave away a 14-point fourth quarter lead and lost 74-78 to eventual champions, the UP Fighting Maroons.  Season 84 was a roller coaster ride for the Green Archers as they finally solved UP’s defense by beating them in the first final four game and almost clinching the second final four game. The Archers also showed they can match up well with the Blue Eagles and are now itching to beat the Blue and White this year.

 

Key changes: 

DLSU lost all around big man Justine Baltazar and Kurt Lojera but has a lot of players in their pipeline raring to prove themselves most notably big guys Kevin Quiambao and Raven Cortez. The Green Archers have a big frontline and it just got bigger with these two former youth campaigners. All eyes are on Quiambao and what he can contribute to the team as he gained a lot of praise with his stellar play while representing the country in the FIBA Asia cup. In college basketball, you lose some but gain new players once again as Deo Cuajao, Donn Lim and Ralph Cu all opted to transfer that will pave the way for newcomers that has homegrown guard JC Macalalag, Fil-Aussie Earl Abadam and former University of Cebu HS Ace, Ice Blanco to shine. Also, Penny Estacio has now recovered from his injury and also raring to go. The Green Archers have twelve holdovers from last season’s team so expect them to have sharpened arrows this season.

Outlook: 

The usual suspects will be back but more importantly their core is a season wiser and are now more comfortable with their roles.  Leading the Green Archers are two guards on their last playing year with Evan Nelle and Deshawn Winston making sure that they are on track to win it all this year.  The Fast and the Furious trio of Evan Nelle, Shonny Winston and Mark Nonoy will be there to shoot the lights out and carry the bulk of the offense for DLSU.  Leading their frontline is last year’s revelation 6-8 Michael Philips who was a part of the UAAP Mythical 5. Philips will have more than enough help up front with his 6-6 brother Ben Phillips, 6-9 Foreign Student Athlete Bright Nawanko, 6-7 rookie Raven Cortez and 6-7 former UAAP Juniors MVP Kevin Quiambao. That means, the Archers will have a formidable fort when someone goes inside and can match up with any team in the UAAP. Michael Philips is the anchor of the green archers interior defense and his matchups to stop Ateneo’s Kouame and UP’s twin big men of Lucero and Tamayo will be a sight to watch. Philips though has a lot to improve in the offense department most notably his free throw shooting. Reliable forward Joaqui Manuel will need to be consistent in both offense and defense while CJ Austria will have to provide them a steady presence. Kevin Quiambao as mentioned is a great addition to the team and will be a rookie with veteran smarts once he plays. Bright Nawanko showed flashes of improvement with his scoring, rebounding and rebounding and will be another big frontliner that will battle the other bigs.  Coach Pumaren usually rotates ten to twelve players at most and other players that will come from the bench to give meaningful minutes will be Benjamin Philips, Aaron Buensalida, Penny Estacio, Emman Galman and rookie Isiah Blanco.

 

Prognosis: 

The De La Salle Green Archers have a shot to win it all this season. After winning the 2022 PBA D League Aspirants cup, the Green Archers showed that they have what addressed their problems from last season and now has what it takes to win it all in season 85.  The most important thing to remember for the Green Archers to win as much games as possible to secure the number 1 spot at the end of the eliminations. They are a shoo-in for the final four and by securing the number one spot, in can help them slide easily to the finals and wait for their opponent. Once in the finals, anything can happen, and the Green Archers can bank on their pre-tournament win to show that they can get back to the top of the UAAP once again. The Green Archers have the experience and are ready to win it all.