By MARK REY MONTEJO
Manpower-wise, the La Salle Archers have almost everything – height, heft and speed.
But so far, their biggest weapon is their sheer will.
Little wonder, they rose above another above adversity and kept their UAAP Final Four bid alive with an 87-82 win over bitter University of Philippines at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last weekend.
“It’s hard, coming off a losing streak, going through injuries, sickness through the players, but what really transpired there was their will to win,” said La Salle head coach Topex Robinson as La Salle bested rival UP in their last two matches this year.
“Not giving up on every possession, knowing that UP is really going always gives you a good fight, and just going to test you to the metal,” he added. “But, again, these guys just stepped up, most importantly, had fun playing and competing. [They] really deserve to really savor this moment for them.”
Before snapping its three-game slide, La Salle dug deep to recover from a 16-point hole in the opening frame, 6-22, before Jacob Cortez, Vhoris Marasigan, and Earl Abadam orchestrated a late 14-4 fourth-quarter rally which completed their come-from-behind win over the State U.
“Again, with the challenges that we’re having, as far as our personnel is concerned, anybody that could, you know, chip in, you know, those little things really mean a lot to us,” Robinson continued.
“But having these guys just being ready for their number to be called is a luxury for us as we go through the final stages of the eliminations and hopefully heading into the Final Four. So kung sino yung makakatulong, it’s really going to be big for us,” he added.
The Green Archers got into an early trouble when EJ Gollena was ejected in the first quarter for a disqualifying foul after a closed-fist contact with Maroons’ Francis Nnoruka, who was also eventually tossed following unsportsmanlike and technical fouls.
Gollena’s ejection didn’t weaken the Archers’ will, instead it served as a boost to remain resilient and optimistic in face of challenges.
“You know, when EJ went out, he’s always the guy that makes sure everybody smiles, makes sure everybody’s having fun, and so he just told me, hey, you know, don’t forget to smile,” said Phillips.
“And I really felt, you know, that when you play like that, even when you’re down, or you’re struggling, if you just try to look for that gratitude, it really, it can really show up,” he added. “And it’s not gonna guarantee a win, but it’s gonna guarantee you’re gonna have, you know, one of the most memorable times of your life.”
After being sidelined in several games due to a medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear in La Salle’s 78-82 loss to National University last Oct. 12, Mason Amos returned to the floor and logged a modest output of three points, three rebounds, and three assists.
“Nakita namin lahat yung comeback niya, kung gano’n kahirap yung pinagdaanan niya. But just naka-uplift talaga na nakabalik si Mason,” Phillips continued.
“He’s always high-fiving, always uplifting, and of course, the X and O’s, we know what Mason can do… But now just to really have that on the court, on the bench is just really beautiful and I’m just really happy for him,” he added.
Besides improving to 7-6, the Taft-based squad solidified its hold of No. 4 seat – a door still knocking by fellow semifinal hopefuls Far Eastern University (6-7) and Ateneo (6-7). There are three remaining squads up for the final semis berth as the Adamson Soaring Falcons (6-8) were eliminated last Sunday, Nov. 24, after bowing to the Blue Eagles.
La Salle is heading into its most crucial game this season when it takes on Ateneo this Wednesday, Nov. 26, where the two squads rekindle their rivalry with the victor boosting its chance of catching the last semis bus.
