The DLSU Green Archers ended a failed PCCL Campaign with a disappointing loss to Adamson University last week in Cebu City. Despite falling behind, the management, coaches, and the players know that this is just a beginning of good things to come for the team.
Emergence in UAAP season 75
After a semifinals breakdown to rival school ADMU in the recently concluded UAAP season 75 basketball tourney, Coach Gee Abanilla was optimistic on his squad’s performance. He reassured the public, “This is just my first year with the team, and all I can say is that the team gave their heart out for the school, and we will surely come out a better team next season.”
Abanilla, who is in his first tour of duty with the Archers, helped the Taft-based squad enter the Final Four after a two-year absence.
The emergence of future superstars Norbert Torres, Almond Vosotros and the Rookie of the Year Jeron Teng have helped the revitalizing squad. The trio of Teng, N. Torres and Vosotros led DLSU’s last UAAP campaign. The trio led the team in points, rebounds, and assists respectively.
Fighting with a deflated lineup
Despite the graduation of veterans Jovet Mendoza and Joshua Webb, and the loss of reliable guards Luigi Dela Paz and LA Revilla due to nagging injuries, the DLSU Green Archers still managed to pull a game against the Altas.
“This team [Green Archers] is a very solid group of young men, and with what they contributed to the race for the General Championship, and what they showed to the community, definitely they will be a team to reckon with by next season,” said OSD Director Emmanuel Calanong.
PCCL: A time to improve
The recently concluded PCCL tourney gave DLSU more focus and determination to become a better team. In the two games that the team played, the team’s performance improved dramatically.
Despite an early exit in the PCCL, Head Skills Trainer Joe Ward sees a bright future for the young Archers. “From what I saw this year is a group of young men, improving beyond expectations; all I can say is this team is a team to watch out for by the other schools come next year…the last tournament [PCCL] is a training ground to see what are the pros and cons of our team and what can we improve on in the off season.”
Next in line
The PCCL bid has ended, and UAAP season 75 has become a memory, but the team has started preparing for the future tournaments as the players put their eyes on the big prize—a UAAP championship.
With the departure of Mendoza and Webb, the mainstay big men of DLSU have much to fill in the paint. Among the players who are expected to take over are Norbert Torres and Arnold Van Opstal; both have improved in the recent UAAP and PCCL tournaments.
While the twin towers will manage the paint for the team, the backcourt duo of Thomas Torres and Almond Vosotros will be left to call the play for the team. Both Vosotros and Torres combine to almost 50 percent of the team’s attempted shots in the perimeter, making DLSU a team to be reckoned with in outside points attempted.
With Vosotros’ three-point capability, DLSU will definitely be a streaking offensive team in the years to come. Package player Jeron Teng is expected to complete the cast.
Teng, who is just in his first year with the team, shocked the College basketball world by dominating opponents beyond his years. This was seen in the last UAAP season 75 match against FEU for the last spot in the semifinals. Teng outscored and outplayed reigning MVP RR Garcia in both ends of the floor, helping the Taft-based squad to a victory to lead back the Archers to the Final Four.
Head Coach Gee Abanilla, who is in his second year of mentoring the Archers, has built a team many will be watching in the years to come. Joining Abanilla will be a cast of former Archers MC Cuan, Jun Limpot and Juno Sauler.
The team is currently in its offseason mode. Players are taking their much-needed rest and are focusing more on their academics to be eligible again for next season’s championship run.
