After a championship-winning stint in UAAP Season 86, the DLSU Green Archers kicked off their title defense last September 8. The Green-and-White enter the hardwood court aiming for back-to-back victories under the guidance of Head Coach Topex Robinson.
With immense pressure behind their backs, the Green Archers navigate the challenges of key player departures and necessary adjustments while maintaining a winning culture in this season’s Men’s Basketball Tournament. After propelling to 10 wins and two losses during the eliminations, they stand on top of the rankings, entering the Finals with much confidence against the UP Fighting Maroons.
More to be done
The Green-and-White entered UAAP Season 87 with a clean slate, refusing to rest on their laurels. Last season’s victory was a proud moment, but for Coach Robinson, the focus is not on defending the title—it’s about facing the new season with fresh energy. “Season 86 is history now,” he points out, “All the seven other schools are vying for the championship, and we’re just one of them.” This mindset keeps the team grounded and focused on the present, treating every game as a new challenge regardless of past success.
Seasoned players like Michael Phillips and Kevin Quiambao, who were instrumental in last season’s success and continue to be, emphasize that the work never stops. “We’re not defending anything; we’re attacking each game,” M. Phillips explains. The team’s motivation comes from a mix of hunger and humility, knowing that all eyes are on them as the reigning champions. This desire to defend the crown has been key in keeping the players sharp, driven, and ready for any obstacle they encountered throughout the season and now approaching the Finals.
Key adjustments
Despite losing several key players—including standouts like Jonnel Policarpio, Evan Nelle, Francis Escandor, Mark Nonoy, and others who moved on to professional leagues—Coach Robinson remains confident in the strength of the team. He does not view these departures as setbacks but rather as opportunities for others to step up. “If we lose one guy, some other guy will step in,” he remarks, confident that the team’s established depth and culture will pull through. The program’s ability to bounce back from these gaps is rooted in its strong foundation that is built on core values like competitiveness and commitment. As Coach Robinson explains, “We have our foundation, and we will always live by our foundation, which is our culture.”
To fill the gaps left by graduated players, the team focused on developing their current roster and bringing in new talent. Rookies like Andrei Dungo have quickly adapted as veterans guided them through the transition. This gave way to M. Phillips, who stepped up as the Team Captain, to provide stability and encouragement to the younger members. They have also strengthened their chemistry both on and off the court to ensure that all players align with the team’s goals. “You were recruited here for a reason,” M. Phillips often reminds them.
Winning culture
La Salle’s commitment to building a winning culture is grounded in its five core values: joy, fulfillment, competitiveness, commitment, and compassion. Coach Robinson articulates this philosophy by noting that the team’s culture serves as their true north. “Those virtues will be the byproduct of our program,” he explains.
Veteran Joshua David highlights the significance of the team’s chemistry that developed over previous seasons: “‘Yung bonding at chemistry [of the players] talaga eh.” This continuity within the team has fostered a strong bond that enhances their collaborative spirit, creating an environment where joy in the game and fulfillment in their efforts lead to a cohesive and complete team.
(It really is the chemistry and bonding of the players.)
As new players like Dungo were being assimilated into the team, the emphasis on listening and learning from experienced teammates became vital. “La Salle naman talaga ‘to eh; mataas talaga ‘yung standards…kaya kailangan ibigay talaga ‘yung best every game,” Dungo shares.
(It’s La Salle; the standards are high…that’s why we need to really give our best every game.”
As they strive for another gold-trophy run, the Taft-based squad embodies a culture that prioritizes character alongside talent, ensuring that each player contributes to their collective success in the long run.
Road bumps
Running a successful basketball program involves adding and integrating new pieces to create a cycle of continuous development. For former UST Tiger Cubs standout Dungo, who committed to the Green Archers earlier this year, it was a decision that was years in the making.
Dungo is grateful to his teammates for guiding him as he acclimates into the system. He mentions that his biggest adjustment was finding his rhythm: “Lagi ako nakikinig sa mga teammates ko, sa mga veterans namin, para makuha ko yung kumpyansa ko ‘tsaka para maging maayos yung laro ko.”
(I always listen to my teammates, especially my veterans, to gain my confidence and get my game right.)
Following his older brother’s footsteps, M. Phillips had embraced his role as the captain and a veteran player in the team, now looking after the rookies. He also revealed that he looks up to David, one of the first players he met, and admires the way he steps up to lead. “Even when he was a rookie, you knew he led by example… With him, his words hold so much weight. When he talks, everyone listens,” M. Phillips explains, emphasizing the importance of leadership from older players.
Winning mindset
With the intense competition this season, La Salle has now shifted from being the hunter to the hunted, with seven other schools gunning for the coveted title. David mentioned that every team this season is stacked, and they cannot afford to let their guard down, no matter who the opponent is.
M. Phillips emphasized that their toughest opponent is themselves: “At the end of the day, we control what we control, and going into games, you can always worry too much about what the other team is going to do.” His thoughts were echoed by the reigning MVP Quiambao, who revealed how he views each game, “So, ‘yung mindset na defending champion kami, ini-set aside namin. Take one game at a time, respect your opponents, [and] respect the game.”
(So, the mindset of being the defending champions, we set that aside. Take one game at a time, respect your opponents, [and] respect the game.)
With a familiar rival in the UP Fighting Maroons looking to dethrone La Salle, all the cheers and shows of support—both in and out of venues—provide a significant boost for the Green-and-White. Dungo highlighted the impact of the crowd in enhancing their strength and urged the Lasallian community to continue supporting the team throughout the remainder of the season as they inch closer to another crown.
M. Phillips expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support of the fans, “This year, the crowd has been crazy, from our first game all the way through Araneta. So, I hope you guys keep supporting us all the way; we’ll play hard for each and every single one of you.”
