The Redemption Story: La Salle’s fairy-tale ending turns golden

Another chapter of UAAP basketball is in the books, with De La Salle University emerging as champions in the end.

But just like the heroes in a storybook, the road was not easy for the Green Archers.

Still, La Salle head coach Topex Robinson, Jacob Cortez, Mike Phililips, and company persisted through battles, slain giants, and in the end, attained their happily ever after.

The fall of mighty heroes

Just like the main character of a story, the Green and White heroes of Taft experienced tragedy at the start of their story, with La Salle losing the UAAP Season 87 title to rivals University of the Philippines.

With the loss of their crown came a key character’s departure as the star forward Kevin Quiambao left La Salle to chase his professional dreams.

Despite being down, Robinson and the rest of his holdovers continued to trek forward.

Along with veteran Phillips and the introduction of new integral figures such as Cortez and Kean Baclaan, the whole Lasallian community marched on redemption road. 

Trials and tribulations

What started off as a hopeful buzz around the air turned sour as La Salle suffered three losses in their first five games. To add insult to injury, newcomers Mason Amos and Baclaan went down with MCL injuries in consecutive bouts.

Despite the absence of key players, several role players rose to the occasion. Luis Pablo, EJ Gollena, and Vhoris Marasigan provided timely contributions as La Salle put together a four-game winning streak to steady its campaign.

However, the Taft-based squad seemingly hit another jam in their quest for glory, as they suffered three straight losses; one against National University and two being heartbreaking losses to Far Eastern University and Adamson University.

Despite the losses, Robinson’s troops stood firm as they came up against fierce foes in UP and Ateneo de Manila University in their last two games of the elimination rounds.

Knowing that they still had a chance to clinch an outright Final Four spot if they won against the said teams, La Salle braced for impact and took every opponent's punch on the chin. 

Geared on by the surprising returns of Amos and Baclaan, La Salle consecutively overcame their Katipunan counterparts and copped the last ticket to playoffs.

On top of the UAAP basketball world

In the semifinals, La Salle faced a difficult task against top-seeded National University, entering the matchup with a twice-to-beat disadvantage.

Needing a lionhearted champion to rise above the occasion, Cortez answered the call and helped La Salle back to the UAAP Finals wherein they would encounter UP.

Then in the Finals La Salle fired up the Animo spirit three more times to reach the pinnacle of collegiate basketball.

Despite dropping a hotly contested Game 2, La Salle able to return to form for the final bout and throw everything they had at the Fighting Maroons.

In the end, the colors Green and White were draped all over the UAAP championship yet again.

“All glory to God. Our adversities really strengthened our faith. Sometimes we get to ask ourselves if we deserve it, but we just kept our faith.”

“This really is a journey worth remembering. We also have to honor and acknowledge UP for really bringing out the best in us. But again, grateful and blessed to win another championship.

Making it two titles in three years, Robinson said that this specific do-or-die game was where he was most nervous in his entire life.

“This has been the most nervous I have been in my life, not only as a coach but also as a player because you’re going up against the best team in college. You know you’re going to be up against the defending champions and they really got our number heading into Game 3.”

“But the adjustment we made in game three was Jacob’s recommendation, and Mike backed it up…Who would have thought we were going to go three bigs?” Robinson said after fielding Amos, Pablo, and Phillips at the same time for numerous possessions.

“Sabi ko sa kanila, ‘di bale na matalo tayong sumugal kaysa nag-ingat tayo.”

Now that Robinson and his team’s faith, trust, and a little bit of gamble paid off, the UAAP crown is back in Taft Avenue.

For now, old foes and new challengers will have to wait for their chance to write their names in UAAP lore.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News