Green Journal: Joshua Torralba v.3

The LaSallian caught up with Green Archer Joshua Torralba in the offseason to talk about his pre-game routines, his thoughts on the outcome of the second round of UAAP Season 78, and the other points he ponders on as he and the team look to bounce back in Season 79.

The second round

The second round [of UAAP Season 78] was kind of like the first round, as far as the ups and downs we encountered were concerned. It was very tough, because of the adversity on and off the court. We expected a lot more from ourselves, based on the results we envisioned earlier in the season. It was a good learning experience, especially during the final stretches of the game, because usually we’re up in the beginning but would fall in the end.

These bad things seem all negative, but there are always positives you can take away from them. We’re going to build on our struggles, and move on from them. We’ve been through so much with the losses and games we should have won. It’s going to make us stronger for next season. Whatever happens next year shouldn’t faze us, and we’ll just keep moving forward. Season 78 was pretty much a faith-building phase for us.

My yoke is easy

Inside of my shoes, I put the Bible verse, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matthew 11:30)”. Whatever we yoke ourselves with — let’s say money, media, and popularity — will not give us a straight path to God. I really experienced that Bible verse in my life, that’s why I take it personally. Jesus said, “Yoke with me, and you’re going to be yoked with God.” The yoke is like a board attached to an ox, which helps it plow straight to the right path. It’s always going to be hard, but if you’re yoked with God things won’t be as difficult.

“My burden is light” means you got to have no worries. There’s no fun to basketball if we put too much pressure on ourselves. It’s fine with God whether we win or lose, as long as we did our best. He is more concerned with the heart.

Anyone can be the most talented player in the whole world. The biggest difference is not what you have, but what you do with what you have. I’m human; I may worry but I trust God. Going to every game, my yoke is easy. If ever you see Jason [Perkins] and I talk before tip-off, that’s probably what we’re talking about. My yoke is easy!!!

Pre-game routine

I like to listen to music before every game. Anything you can imagine from High School Musical to Drake, to feel good music. I also like to listen to Hillsong and different worship music artists. I play up-tempo songs, and then slow it down to relax and have peace before the game. I shoot around for like an hour before the game, and look at the different spots on the court that I’d be going to later on. I try to talk to God too by having a personal, one-on-one conversation with him. I don’t want to do anything too different. I just want it to be like I’m going through practice: relaxed and just having fun.

Toughest opponents to guard

The toughest guys I had to guard this season would have to be Kiefer Ravena and Von Pessumal of ADMU, along with Kevin Ferrer of UST. Kiefer is a shooter and creator and has a lot of moves. He’s one of those guys you cannot slack off on defense while Ferrer is big since he stands at around 6 foot 5. I stopped him (Ferrer) in the first three quarters in one of our games, but he just showed up all of a sudden in the fourth quarter and just hit all of these difficult shots.

Pessumal for me might have to be the most difficult guy to guard, and I think he’s underrated. He would set himself up very well off screens. He moves kind of like Ray Allen, coming off two screens from one side, and if he wouldn’t get the ball, he would run to the opposite side with another couple of screens. If he catches the ball, he’d hit me with a step back or a catch-and-shoot jumper. You have to be physically fit when guarding him since he’s going to be all around you. He’s the most tiring to defend I guess, because you get worn out mentally and physically. I cramped up in the second round game against ADMU, which really shows how hard it is to guard him. I was so mad since I was hitting my shots that game.

The offseason so far

I’ve been injured throughout the whole year. I had knee and back injuries along with tight muscles and going into the season I even fractured my hand. I even tore my tendon in my finger, so I had to tape it up. With all those injuries I’ve just been chilling out and recovering. I haven’t touched a basketball for a while. We’ve been through a lot of stress and I’m pretty much unwinding right now. I can’t wait to go home to Texas and be fresh for the New Year.