In basketball, there are two questions one can frequently ask: WHAT are you playing for? and WHO do you play for. The first is quite easy, since the most common answer among dedicated players is “a championship”. The latter on the other hand, can bring out different answers from different players. One particular answer could be playing for the reputed glory of one’s school, one that can be especially applicable to the DLSU Green Archers.
Many players have come and gone through the hallowed hardwood of the Green Archers, yet few can actually call it home. There are those that graduated as Green Archers, yet there are also those that don’t hang up their sneakers after playing for the team from Taft Avenue. Some of these athletes who, at one point in time, fought for the Green-and-White, have moved on to different teams even if the Animo in them has a special place in their heart that never dies.
Nico Elorde
A star point guard during his high school years in De La Salle Zobel, Elorde is a homegrown Lasallian talent. Being a Lasallian for almost his entire life, beginning in preschool, college hoops fans eventually saw him suit up for the Green Archers. His rookie year was not as bright as his Mythical Five days in Zobel though, as Elorde found it hard to crack minutes in former Coach Dindo Pumaren’s rotation, prompting him to move to their archrival’s nest.
The ADMU Blue Eagles, who lacked point guards at the time, welcomed Elorde with open arms. Unlike in La Salle where he often rode the bench, he saw more on-court action in head coach Norman Black’s squad in 2012. UAAP Season 75 came, and for the first time in his life, he was donning a Blue-and-White jersey, playing alongside Ateneo’s triumvirate of superstars, namely Greg Slaughter, Nico Salva, and Kiefer Ravena. Just like in his high school days, he was again part of a champion team, but this time, it was not with his lifelong alma mater.
The opening of UAAP Season 76 twisted the plot quite a bit for the five-time defending champions. With changes in coaching staff, the graduation of some key players, and an unexpected ankle injury on ace player Ravena, Elorde saw the need to step up. Frequently manning the point guard duties now, he has been contributing crucial field goals of his own in late game situations. The tough guard has been consistently showing his defensive prowess in limiting opposing stars and their scoring totals. The playing minutes he craved for when he was still in the green side had been given to him with the Blue Eagles and he has made the most of them. Elorde has indeed become one of the vital cogs to Ateneo head Coach Bo Perasol’s game strategy, and has averaged 5.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in 20.5 minutes of action per game so far in the season.
Even after his departure, Elorde stays sincere to his alma mater. This young man in blue stands out as he raises his fist for the De La Salle alma-mater hymn along with the ‘green’ crowd, singing along to their monotonous tune amidst his blue-clad teammates with his fist clenched high up in the air. Although he is resting with the Blue Eagles in their nest now, Nico Elorde remains to be a true green Lasallian gentleman at heart.
Dan Sara
Roldan “Dan” Sara was supposed to be the point guard of the future, whether it was for the San Beda Red Lions or any other team that came calling. From stints in the RP Youth Team to quarterbacking the offensive juggernaut known as the San Beda Red Cubs, the Green Archers hoped that with Sara, they would not only get a talented and experienced point guard, but also one who was used to a winning tradition, something that they were hoping to revive along Taft Avenue. Sadly, the Lasallian community never got to see the Red Cub’s talents as he was limited to spot minutes in Pumaren’s lineup.
Eventually, after the Fil-Oil Flying-V Preseason Cup of 2012, Sara decided to go back home to San Beda where he is currently strutting his wares in the NCAA after serving his residency last season. During the Red Lions’ matchup with the Green Archers in this year’s edition of the Fil-Oil tournament, Sara only scored two points courtesy of a baseline floater, but not only did his team end up with the win, they also ended the Green Archers’ preseason.
As the NCAA season keeps rolling, expect Dan Sara to be a key cog in the Red Lions’ quest for another championship as he serves as the reliever of star playmaker Baser Amer. He may have not have played a lot while with the Green Archers, but with his inclusion into the squad of perennial NCAA contenders, expect his reunion with former high school teammates Art Dela Cruz and Francis Abarcar to reignite his game to help him succeed as a Red Lion.
Joseph Marata
Without counting their victory early in the 76th UAAP Season, the last time the Green Archers beat their arch rival Ateneo was when Joseph Marata was still in the lineup, hoisting threes in his green jersey with an arm sleeve. His timely threes and clutch baskets put the Blue Eagles away on that fateful day on July 24, 2010 – but then again, Ateneo came out with the championship that season. Fast forward to 2013, and Marata is now the UP Fighting Maroons’ first option, replacing former star Mike Silungan at the wings and complementing promising rookie Kyles Lao and sophomore Henry Asilum.
Though UP’s current standing is still last place, the Fighting Maroons cannot be discounted because of their heart. For the past games of the Fighting Maroons, they have surprisingly kept up with their opponents, courtesy of Joseph Marata and the scoring machine that he has become. He currently averages 16.2 points and four rebounds per game as the main option from Diliman.
UP’s offense has been relying heavily on Marata’s threes and jumpers. Leading the team now after a mix of promising and disappointing seasons in Taft Avenue, the yet to be favorable outcome of the Maroons’ duels cannot overlook Marata’s increased efficiency on the court. This season, he has finally lived up to his potential as one of the deadliest scorers in the collegiate leagues.
Hail to thee our Alma Mater
Despite the fact that these players now carry different colors and different school names, their time spent as Green Archers should never be disregarded and discounted. For some, it may not have been the highlight of their lives, but their time with the Green Archers has provided them with the motivation necessary to succeed in their new schools.
As their fists remain high singing the La Salle alma mater song after games, Lasallians will always have a soft spot in their hearts for them. No matter how many points they may score against La Salle, they will be Green Archers in our hearts, forever.
