By MARK REY MONTEJO
Despite losing two key players, La Salle refuses to feel down as Jacob Cortez and Mike Phillips remained pumped up for their highly anticipated showdown against reigning champion University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament this Sunday, Oct. 19, at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Although still devastated by Kean Baclaan’s season-ending MCL injury in their narrow 111-110 overtime win over University of the East last Wednesday, the Green Archers are moving forward and shifting their focus to the Fighting Maroons in their final first-round test.
“Excited of course, before I was just watching these La Salle-UP games, now I finally got the chance to play against them,” said Cortez, who steered the Archers past the Red Warriors with 26 points, two rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
“I’m just looking forward to it, then again, I’m still focused on what we need to do to win,” he added.
With challenges piling up for La Salle, Cortez is keeping his head high as he continues to embrace the bigger role for the Topex Robinson-mentored crew.
“Well, yeah. Every game I just learn more. I learn all these players, how they play me or how they want to score against me,” Cortez continued.
“So, it’s all about learning and now we have a second round to do that. But before the second round, we got UP next. So, we’re going to focus on that for sure,” he added.
Likewise, Phillips is more than willing to pick up the slack for La Salle, which aside from Baclaan, will also be without Mason Amos.
We’re going to really prepare.I’ll put my trust in our coaches to really prepare and know it’s going to be a good game,” said Phillips, who is playing his final year as a Green Archer.
