“I entered DLSU as a champion, and I want to graduate a champion.” – Simon Atkins
Simon Atkins’ always said that he is aiming for a championship when he came to UAAP Season 74.
The Lasallian community knows that they have failed to hit the mark. They were not able to force a playoff with UST for a Final Four slot. Moreover, they did not seal the season with a win.
Alvin Joseph “Maui” Villanueva and Simon Atkins, the graduating Archers, ended the season with a lost to the FEU Tamarraws, 66-57, last September11.
The last game
The Green Archers are out of the post-season run even before that game. Win or lose that would definitely be Atkin’s and Villanueva’s last game.
For Maui, who tallied five rebounds and two assists, he wanted to exit with a winning note, and for his teammates to carry that win on their campaign next season.
Many wondered what happened to the Archers as their performance degraded come the second round of the UAAP. “More of ano eh, miscommunication within, and sa players din talaga, parang whatever happens naman it’s always our fault. Lack of concentration on our part, yun. Medyo hindi naging successful yung campaign this year,” Villanueva explains.
Though unsuccessful, Maui had no regrets, and whole-heartedly accepted the team’s fate.
The decision
The year Simon entered DLSU was the same year La Salle was suspended. Despite many offers to play, he stayed with DLSU; the same goes for Maui. He always wanted to play for La Salle and the Green Archers. “Ever since I started playing I really wanted to play for La Salle.” He shared that during high school, he watched DLSU’s games, and told himself that someday he would play for DLSU.
The experience
The UAAP experience is certainly one of the best memories a player could take with him after graduation.
Villanueva will miss playing in the UAAP, and wants to relive the Ateneo-La Salle experience. “Siguro yun yung one thing na talagang para sakin pinaka-prestige playing here in La Salle, playing against our arch rival,” he reminisced.
Despite the Archers falling short, Maui has no regrets in choosing La Salle. “I really had a great time during my stay in La Salle. I was in a good system, coaching system. And, parang na feel-at-home talaga ako with my teammates,” he added.
One of the many great moments Maui would take with him as a graduate is his game-winning shot during a game in his rookie year as a Green Archer.
The legacy
Being part of the Green Archers touched their lives. They’ve learned a lot, not only basketball, but also about life. Maui explained that being part of the Green Archers have developed him as a person.
They may have had trouble as a team. Many have criticized the Green Archers this season, but both Villanueva and Atkins kept their heads high, proud and thankful to be part of this squad.
The future
Despite falling short, these two have contributed a lot in improving the DLSU team. Maui wants his team to forget this season, move on and brace for the next season.
They will now face the real world. Maui shares, “Right now, [I] just want to focus on my studies, just want to finish first my studies. Then after that, I want to play for, first, the D-League. Then maybe if ever, yun nga, ma-draft, and someday sa PBA.”
Maui wants the Lasallian community to remember him as someone who gave his best in everything he did. “And to the Lasallian community, please continue to support the Green Archers and don’t lose hope. There’s still more to come from this team. I know this team has a lot of potential so continue to support them.”
Whatever happens, DLSU has a place in their hearts. Once an Archer, always an Archer.
featured photo by Martin San Diego
