Lasallian athleticism at its finest

There is no doubt that DLSU produces several of the country’s most talented and skilled athletes nowadays. Winners of the last two UAAP General Championships, La Salle teams successfully defended the throne as they dominated the league in spectacular fashion by hacking out a total of six championships, seven bridesmaid finishes, and five bronze medals last year. With the Lasallian community supporting their backs all year long, it was the collective effort of all squads who played their hearts out in every single game that made last season’s stint a golden success. All of their dedication, determination, and perseverance paid off once more as their struggles brought them to another prestigious achievement that their fellow Lasallians enjoyed.

Among these teams are the players who led the charge by being an example to their fellow athletes and serve as an inspiration to their own respective squads. These players made their presence felt in their competitions by clinching victory after victory and making the crucial plays when the team needed it the most. With UAAP 77 set to kick off on July 12, let us take a look back at some standouts, or the “King and Queen Archers”, who spearheaded their respective teams to greatness during Season 76.

Lady Archer Trisha Piatos

The 11-year championship drought of La Salle’s Women’s Basketball team ended with a 69-61 victory over the NU Lady Bulldogs last October 5, 2013 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. After finishing the eliminations with a 12-2 win-loss card, the DLSU Lady Archers disposed the UST Growling Tigresses in overtime to book their ticket to the finals against the first-seed Lady Bulldogs. The series was hard fought as it needed three games to determine the champions, but it was Coach Tyrone Bautista’s squad who came out on top in the pivotal Game 3.

Behind this successful stint was Trisha Piatos, who was hailed Finals MVP after averaging 14.7 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in the finals. Known for her sweet touch from behind the arc, she is one of the Lady Archers’ top offensive weapons together with teammate Ara Abaca. As one half of La Salle’s high-scoring stalwarts, Piatos was also stellar on the defensive end, securing loose balls, crashing the boards, and even rejecting shot attempts. In the overtime victory in the Final Four against UST which bagged them a finals seat, Piatos recorded her best scoring game for the season with 28 markers, highlighted by six three-point shots on 50 percent shooting to complement her six boards and three assists.

Now entering her final year as a Lady Archer, the streaky guard is looking forward to defending the championship and unloading even more clutch shots in the upcoming season together with the rest of the Lady Archers. Expect Piatos to give her defenders a hard time as she threatens her counterparts with her offensive prowess.

Green Paddler Walden Ledesma

The Green Paddlers ended a 13-year title shortage via a finals sweep against the FEU Tamaraws. Before the finals face-off, the Green-And-White squad had to overcome UST, who had always been a tough obstacle to the squad in the past years, giving them their second straight finals appearance. Coach Lauro Crisostomo’s team then went on with the championship, defeating the team who gave their lone loss in the UAAP 76 Men’s Table Tennis Tournament.

The man behind this feat was no other than Walden Shayne Ledesma who was named the MVP of the said competition. The AB Sports Studies major was crucial in the latter parts of the tournament as he gave his team the crucial wins, which inched them closer to the title. In their matchup with the Espaňa-based squad, Ledesma swept UST’s Abendan who was considered one of the team’s top aces. Ledesma also triumphed against FEU the following day as part of the Green Paddlers’ victory in the first match of the finals. To complete the finals sweep, Ledesma outhustled FEU’s Ronald Donaire in five sets. 

Being the son of Table Tennis Associate of the Philippines President Ting Ledesma, Ledesma developed his skills through his father’s guidance, which made him the talented athlete that he is today. Since his entry into the league, he already contributed a lot for the Green Paddlers, clinching the Rookie of the Year honors back in UAAP 74.

Ledesma still has two more years to suit up for the Green Paddlers as they seek to defend the throne this coming UAAP 77. Expect the fourth-year veteran to become a catalyst in the Paddlers’ campaign in the upcoming tournament.

Lady Judoka Nikki More

On the other end of the mats, Lady Judokas’ very own Nicole More delivered an uproar of a performance after claiming a string of wins, which in turn allowed her to rise above the ranks and achieve the status of the most valuable player (MVP) of the season. 

Due to More’s efforts and together with the team’s cumulative push, the Lady Judokas managed to pull together a huge lead of 42 points against the rest of the opponents in the competition. The lead sealed the team’s fate for the championship glory as their archrival, Ateneo de Manila University, only tallied 29 points and fell as the bridesmaid in the competition. 

More is one of the Lady Judokas’ experienced competitors after serving the team for the majority of her stay in DLSU. However, this upcoming UAAP season, the Lady Judokas will experience a blow to their arsenal as More takes a step back from the mats and graduates from the University and from UAAP as well. But with her undying passion for Judo and the Lady Judokas, More shares that she will remain as a helpful instrument to the young Judokas as she guides them to the path of championships and greatness even if her playing years in the league are over.