1998 Green Archers: The start of the dynasty

Dating back to 1998, the DLSU Green Archers had already been perennial title contenders, proving it with successive trips to the UAAP finals. After grabbing silver for three straight years behind the four-peat champion UST Growling Tigers, the Green-and-White did not allow it to happen for a fifth time.

With a new coach, experienced guards, physically powerful big men, and a deep bench completing the lineup, La Salle unquestionably gave everyone a run for their money for four straight years, beginning with their 1998 championship, and La Salle formed a true dynasty during those years. 

The arrival of Franz Pumaren

Present head coach Juno Sauler is not the first rookie coach to overcome early criticism and eventually impress the Lasallian community, spectators and analysts. In the summer of 1998, a month before the start of the 61st season of the UAAP, former Green Archer and 12-year PBA veteran Franz Pumaren was hired to be the new man at the helm for the Green-and-White.

Many doubted the Green Archers, pointing out the assigning of a new coach with so little time before the season would damage the focus of the players. However, Pumaren did not disappoint as the Green Archers posted a 13-1 record for the season, grabbing the UAAP title against the FEU Tamaraws in the finals. Interestingly, Pumaren also had former DLSU head coach Gee Abanilla and Sauler assigned as assistant coaches during his tenure with the Green Archers.

Rise of the “Rainman”

Florendo “Ren-Ren” Ritualo was a dominant scoring threat during his years with the Green Archers in the UAAP. Ritualo earned the title of Rookie of the Year during the 1997 season, signalling the return of La Salle’s glory days in basketball. As a rookie, he positioned himself as the secondary scoring option and was a consistent threat from the backcourt. In fact, Ritualo has been known to shoot lights out, particularly from beyond the arc, silencing the cheers of the opposing crowd with backbreaking flurries of three pointers.

Hailed as “The Rainman”, his perimeter game was of magnificent aid to the Green Archers’ attack as he slackened the defensive pressure on the interior to help the big men function inside. He ended his career with four straight UAAP titles, with the first coming in 1998. With his scoring prowess and commendable leadership, Ritualo was given the highest honor bestowed upon an athlete of DLSU as they retired his jersey alongside basketball legends Lim Eng Beng and Kurt Bachman. Ritualo’s jersey is a familiar sight for those who frequent the Enrique Razon Sports Complex and it stands as a testament to his run of greatness. Ritualo is currently playing for the Air21 Express in the Philippine Basketball Association, coincidentally under the watchful eye of his former UAAP coach, Franz Pumaren.

Fitting the pieces

Veteran guard Dino Aldeguer orchestrated the offense quite well for DLSU as its point guard. This lightning-quick guard set fire to the fast-paced game of the Taft-based squad and proved that he was one of the top guards in the league at that time.  The heady guard also had a sweet touch from mid-range and his shooting generated more room for the inside players to freely work in the post.

Despite the departure of two-time UAAP MVP Mark Telan, the Green Archers’ frontline in 1998 was still a force to reckon with. Showing the way was eventual two-time UAAP MVP and two-time UAAP champion Don Carlos Allado. The six-foot-six behemoth was impossible to contain underneath the basket and carried the scoring chores for the team. The current Meralco Bolt in the PBA was also a determined rebounder and tight defender down in the post, anchoring the team’s foundation.

Another face who donned the Green-and-White uniform that year was Fil-Am three point specialist Alvin Castro. The streaky shooter played physical and he adjoined his height and heft to aid La Salle’s offensive arsenal. The former San Miguel Beerman and Alaska Ace in the PBA established himself as a nuisance for the seven other participating teams during his college days as he made shot after shot from the distance, combining with Ritualo to form a deadly duo from the outside.

Willy Wilson, who was a late addition to the team, proved himself time and time again with the Green Archers. Coming over from the United States, the stocky blue-chip recruit could fill in the two, three, and four slots on the court. He could shoot from the shaded lane and would also open up the defense with his outside shooting. Wilson did not only supply the Green Archers with quality minutes off the bench, but his pesky defensive skill-set raised some eyebrows and caught the attention of everyone during his tenure with La Salle. Wilson is currently playing for the PBA crowd-favorite, Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel.

Furthermore, achieving more than what was expected of him all throughout his stint in the collegiate league was Francisco Zamora who ascended over the rest of the pack. The six-foot-four forward was not the flashy type in terms of scoring, but he made up for it with his tough rebounding and hustle plays.

One to remember

The 1998 Green Archers team was a sight to behold that some people still reminisce about to this day. Going back to a statement made by Pumaren back in 1998, he shares, “Sa amin, when you step in, walang superstars. If you can’t adjust to our system you can quit the team.”

This was a team that had all the pieces, an excellent coach and his staff plus a set of promising young players. A team like that might never be seen again in DLSU, but that does not mean a dynasty cannot be formed again. Players come and go, but what stays is the Animo that lingers within every true Green Archer.