FOR the first time in eight years, La Salle will be the top seed in the Final Four.
That position was locked up after its convincing 77-66 victory vs. the University of the Philippines on Sunday - and not even its 63-54 loss to National University on Wednesday to end its elimination assignments in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament could change it.
But Green Archers coach Topex Robinson would be the first to note that where you sit in the semifinals doesn’t guarantee anything.
“It’s nice to be No. 1, but it only got you to the Final Four,” he said, as his crew ended with a 12-2 record. “There’s still a lot of work to be done.”
Robinson may discount it, but La Salle fans are sure to be delighted to hear that the last time the green-and-white claimed the top seed, it also ended with a celebration all over Taft.
Green Archers' great Season 79
It was back in Season 79 in 2016 when the Green Archers rampaged all the way to the top of the standings, with just one loss through 14 games in the elims.
Spearheaded by MVP Ben Mbala and Jeron Teng, they were indeed a force to be reckoned with. The two were part of that year’s Mythical Team, but were, most definitely, not the only able bodies at coach Aldin Ayo’s disposal that season.
From spunky guards in Kib Montalbo, Andrei Caracut, and Rookie of the Year Aljun Melecio, high-flying neophyte Ricci Rivero, to their imposing frontline which also included Jason Perkins, Abu Tratter, and a young Justine Baltazar, that team's Animo was, indeed, a lot to handle.
Archrival Ateneo was the only team to inflict a blemish on La Salle’s record, taking the 83-71 victory in the second round.
Come the postseason, however, it was all Green Archers.
First, they dispatched of four-seed Adamson bannered by Sean Manganti and Jerrick Ahanmisi before sweeping the Tab Baldwin-coached Blue Eagles, then leaning on Thirdy Ravena and Isaac Go, in the championship phase.
Eight years later, it’s almost the same story with this edition of La Salle.
Kevin Quiambao is poised to be hailed as MVP anew, with the energetic Michael Phillips looking to join him in the Mythical Team.
“There’s a lot of expectations, but we want to set our team at a high standard and the things we want to work on will be addressed,” said Robinson.
In the eight previous times that the Green Archers claimed the top seed, five instances ended in a championship.
Will La Salle make it 6-of-9?
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