In recent times, fewer collegiate players choose to maximize their full five playing years. Change is indeed inevitable, especially in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP), as increased exposure has opened doors for athletes to be recruited early for overseas, local, or semi-pro leagues.
For the DLSU Green Archers, this hit to the core after the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament Finals, where they not only lost the title but also two key players: back-to-back UAAP Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao and reliable center Raven Gonzales. Quiambo forwent his eligibility to play for the Goyang Sono Skygunners in the Korean Basketball League, while Gonzales opted to take his talents to the Abra Solid North Weavers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
The two were instrumental in the Green Archers’ Season 86 championship run, therefore the gaps in the squad will not be easy to fill. With the team looking to reclaim the UAAP title, all eyes are on Luis Pablo and Mason Amos, two promising recruits who have the potential to shape the Green Archers’ future.
Lasallian way
After playing for the Blue Eagles and Fighting Maroons, respectively, the frontcourt duo of Amos and Pablo are excited about the new challenge of bringing the crown back to the Green Archers. Their primary motivation for moving to the Green-and-White was more than just basketball—it was about finding the right fit, both academically and socially.
For Amos, he chose DLSU because he wanted to take up Sports Studies. “Becoming the best version of myself—that’s really what it comes down to,” he expressed. It is the same reason for Pablo, who felt a personal connection to the University after finishing high school in La Salle Green Hills. “Motivation ko is ‘yung family ko, ‘yung mom ko, [since] gusto niya talaga mag-graduate ako dito sa La Salle,” he added, explaining how his family is also one of the reasons for his transfer to Taft after UAAP Season 86.
(My motivation is my family, my mom, since she really wants me to graduate here in La Salle.)
Nowadays, UAAP schools play within a system, making it challenging for new players to quickly adapt and integrate into the team. Gone are the days when teams could plug-and-play players with similar skill sets to achieve the same results. But Head Coach Topex Robinson has made this transition smoother by giving the players the freedom to express their play style within the system. As Amos iterated: “He’s a player’s coach, so he allows you to flow through the system.”
Amos, however, highlighted that despite having the freedom to play their own game, the players should acknowledge the fine line between innovation and discipline with a team. Pablo insisted that playing for Coach Robinson was not a big adjustment, and he was given the green light by his coach and confidence to play his own game, “Sobrang positive vibes ng mga teammates, ng mga coaches, especially kay Coach Topex [na] binibigyan niya kami ng structured freedom para makapaglaro at para ma-enjoy namin ang stay namin dito sa La Salle.”
(My teammates and my coaches bring positive vibes, especially for Coach Topex as he gives us structured freedom to play and to enjoy our stay here in La Salle.)
Greener environment
With new environments come new adjustments to the student-athlete life. It did not take long for the new duo to become acclimated to La Salle and Coach Robinson’s system. Amos shared that he takes a similar approach as he had in the past to adjust to life in DLSU. “It’s pretty similar, actually same approach, study hard, [and] work hard in the court,” Amos stated. He credits Robinson’s trust for making the transition even smoother: “Adjusting has been pretty easy because Coach Topex is a really easygoing person. He believes in me, and I’m thankful for it.”
Meanwhile, Pablo felt right at home in La Salle, given his high school roots. “Madali naman adjustment ko here sa La Salle, especially sa high school since La Salle environment din ako,” Pablo elaborated.
(My adjustment in La Salle is easy, especially since during high school I was in a La Salle environment also.)
So far with DLSU, Amos and Pablo have taken pride in playing and training for the Green Archers. Amos shared, “Just representing the school—you know, they’ve given me so much, even though I’ve been here for such a short time.” Pablo also picked up a few lessons on the court since his move, “Sinasabi ng teammates at coaches ko na ‘Next Play,’ before kasi sobrang mabilis ako ma-frustrate ganon, pero habang tumatagal ako dito sa La Salle, mas nae-enjoy ako maglaro.”
(My teammates and coaches tell me ‘Next Play,’ as before I easily get frustrated, but as I stay longer in La Salle, I enjoy playing more.)
Filling voids
There is always pressure to fill the shoes of those who came before, and the new Green Archers are fully aware of the weight Quiambao and Gonzales left behind. “Syempre meron pressure, especially silang dalawa. We all know naman capabilities nila sa court,” Pablo admitted. Filling that void will not be easy, but Amos and Pablo are determined to answer that need. “It’s a big void to fill, big shoes to fill, but I have full belief in myself and my teammates that we can fill that void,” Amos asserted.
(Of course, there is pressure, especially since we know the capabilities of those two on the court.)
Along with their departure were the lessons they left behind. “Pinaka natuto ko sa kanila, kumbaga sobrang kailangan mo talaga mag-sacrifice para ma-achieve mo yung kahit ano mang goal mo,” Pablo answered, emphasizing the value of sacrifice.
(What I learned from them was that you need to really sacrifice if you want to achieve any of your goals.)
Ready for challenges
Pablo and Amos are not the only new faces in the Taft-based squad. The team’s core of transfers included Jacob Cortez and Kean Baclaan. Together with Amos and Pablo, they had the chance to play together as the Team B Green Archers and won the PG Flex Linoleum Invitational Tournament 2024 – Quintana Cup last year. The short pocket tournament for Amos was his favorite tournament, seeing it as a key moment in their development. “Not only did we get to bond as this team, but we got to experience what it’s like to be a Lasallian.”
Despite being named the Final MVP in the tournament, Amos acknowledged that playing with the talent of the backcourt duo of Baclaan and Cortez is a blessing and that it is hard to match. He admitted that playing with them inside the court takes a lot of pressure.
Building chemistry takes time and does not happen overnight. Pablo highlighted that it is not only built on the hardwood but also outside it. He added that bonding together with his teammates was key in building chemistry, “Nakilala namin isa’t isa kaya’t noong dumating sa practice, napagusapan [kung] anong strengths ng bawat isa at weaknesses ng bawat isa.”
(We know each other, so during practices we talked about what are each of our strengths and the weaknesses.)
After being out for a year to serve their residency, the duo is ready to represent the Green-and-White in the upcoming Season 88. For Pablo, he is eager to win the championship for La Salle, “Tinatatak ko sa isip ko na ipanalo ‘yung championship.” Amos took the year off to get his body in the right shape and was excited to play ball once again. He added that his end goal is to win the championship but with precaution: “We always take it day by day. We don’t look too far ahead.”
(I keep in mind that we need to win that championship.)
This article was published in The LaSallian‘s March 2025 issue. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSMarch2025.
