CHICAGO - As they stumble out of the gates with a 2-3 (win-loss) start to UAAP Season 88, the La Salle Green Archers do not resemble the powerhouse team that made back-to-back finals appearances the past two years.
After capturing a championship during his maiden season in 2023, a memorable run that was followed by a failed but gallant title-defense bid in 2024, coach Topex Robinson is off to his worst start at Taft.
READ Follow captain Phillips and everything will be alright, La Salle
Although some magic remains, it's mostly been fleeting, and the team keeps losing winnable games such as the NU encounter last Sunday when La Salle faded with just 15 fourth-quarter points on the way to an 82-78 demise.
Though ranked No.3 in points scored per game at 74, the Green Archers are only No. 5 in field goal percentage at 38.4 percent (131-of-341) and last among eight teams in 3-point accuracy at 25.4 percent (26-of-102).
And their struggles at the free throw line are epic, just 82-of-141, a dismal 58 percent conversion rate.
NO D IN LA SALLE?
Their defense isn't carrying the day, either - sixth in points allowed at 77.2, fifth in rebounds allowed (43) and fourth in both 3-point resistance (27-of-105) and assists surrendered at 14.8 a contest.
What is going on?
I think they sold their soul's offense to Kean Baclaan and Jacob Cortez, a plan of attack that hasn't gotten the desired results.
It's unclear if the heavy reliance on both guards is due to pressure from their respective managers or a condition of their high-profile transfers; what's clear is that the output and usage of five very talented wings who can all start elsewhere has suffered.
Through five games, Baclaan and Cortez have already shot a combined 101 field goals while Doy Dungo, Earl Abadam, Vhoris Marasigan, Jc Macalalag and EJ Gollena only have a combined 114.
It's not helping that Baclaan's and Cortez's shooting accuracy are at 27.9 and 43.1 percent, respectively.
ON THE HOT SEAT.
Look, it's not wrong to hand the keys of the offense to Kean and Jacob but with La Salle at the crossroads, you have to wonder what their excessive ball usage has done to the fabric of the team's culture of community play.
After all, what's the point of being rich in talent when the distribution of wealth is uneven?
To make matters worse, multiple sources told me that Mason Amos' MCL injury is a Grade 3 tear, leaving his return for the remainder of the season extremely doubtful.
The Green Archers can still win all the marbles without Amos, but that will require a lot of heavy lifting from Bright Nwanko, Luis Pablo and freshman LeBron Daep. With potentially more playing time now, maybe this untapped trio will rise to the challenge.
If the Green Archers, God forbid, won't make the Final Four, I am told that Robinson could be asked to tender a courtesy resignation.
That would be awful but not surprising.
At La Salle, where the boosters pour their passions and resources in building an all-star roster year after year, sustained excellence is demanded.
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