IN what could be the biggest — if not the biggest — collegiate transfer of the past decade, Mason Amos needed less than a year at La Salle to realize that, indeed, the grass is greener where it’s watered.
And right now, it’s thriving on the Taft side — not just because they’re stacked with talent, but because that talent is nurtured with care.
The 6-foot-7 Gilas Pilipinas forward made his controversial move in July 2024, but he had been admiring the empowering Topex Robinson-led culture from afar long before that.
“I saw it from afar — you could see the culture they have with guys like Mike [Phillips]. I saw it, and I played against it,” Amos told SPIN.ph during a game day in the 2025 Playtime FilOil EcoOil Preseason Tournament.
“I was a spectator until I actually got to put on a La Salle jersey. As soon as I stepped into it, it’s probably the best experience I’ve had in college,” he added.
READ: Pablo out to prove worthy to stand alongside Amos, Baclaan, Cortez, Daep
Amos turned in a promising rookie campaign for Ateneo in UAAP Season 86 before deciding to take his talents to the Green Archers - the Blue Eagles' archrivals, no less.
Still, the very moment he stepped onto the green-and-white camp, what he's already known was proven correct: that it was Robinson's player-friendly philosophy that got the best out of the likes of Phillips, Evan Nelle, and two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao.
And while it may sound sweet now, the Fil-Australian modern big would be the first to admit the transition wasn't easy at all.
Still, he has no regrets that he made a move for himself, especially since his decision - polarizing, to say the least - was shaped, in part, by a generation of go-getters and game-changers.
Such phenomenon has bore witness to college stars leaving the amateur ranks earlier than expected to pursue professional opportunities both locally and abroad, easily a pioneering shift for Philippine basketball.
“I hope people see that it’s a decision that really benefited me and my future. I want people to see that you can make your own choices in life if that’s what you feel is best for you,” he shared.
Bring the noise
Looking back on the backlash — even from those he once called friends — Amos says he holds no grudges. He’s in a better place now, surrounded by support.
“During my time in Ateneo, I did what I could, I loved the community with all my heart. I’m grateful even up to now. But people will always have their opinions and perceptions on everything and I’d like to focus on what I can control,” he said.
He added: “It was a controversial move, let’s put it as that. There’s noise, everybody’s talking, but in my head, I know it’s the best decision I did for myself.”
Amidst all the criticism, the now-La Salle pillar chose not to take it personally — knowing full well he’s responsible for carving his own path.
“Hearing harsh words from people that once supported me, it hurt yes, but I just try not to take anything against them,” he said.
Perhaps, his new community showered him with so much love that there was no space for blues to swing by.
“Having guys like Mike by your side, just being able to talk to them helped me a lot. There’s a lot of people that can listen, but they’re choosing not to," he said.
"So having that bond with these guys, it’s not yet that long of a time, but I’d say, this is by far the closest I’ve been with a team.”
And now approaching his 21st birthday, he's 100-percent certain that if finding peace with the Green Archers meant being at odds with more than a few along the way, it was still the right path to take for himself.
“It’s an eye-opener, but there are some sacrifices you have to make for the betterment of your future,” he said.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
