RETOOLED - and still retooling - couldn’t even begin to describe La Salle in UAAP Season 88.
Fresh off their finals loss to modern-day rival University of the Philippines, not only did the Green Archers enter the tournament with a chip on their shoulder, they were also without prodigious Kevin Quiambao.
And as Taft eagerly awaited watching talented transferees Mason Amos, Kean Baclaan, Jacob Cortez, and Luis Pablo donning the green-and-white, it instead saw Amos and Baclaan go down to the same knee injury.
A season-ending injury to a lead guard and a sweet-shooting big may be a death knell for any other squad.
But not La Salle, especially with it's very 'GAMe' backbone of veterans: EJ Gollena, Earl Abadam, and Jcee Macalalag.
Jcee’s balancing act
As one of the more tenured players with three seasons under his belt, the priorities are changing for Macalalag.
With his collegiate curtain close nearing, it's high time for the Laguna native to prepare himself for the pros, something that coach Topex Robinson and his program have been prioritizing since his arrival.
“Tina-try ko lang i-balance yung maging defensive player, as well as offensive player para ma-improve ko rin yung game ko heading sa future. I have two playing years (left) sa UAAP, so kailangan ko magpakita rin ang skills,” he told SPIN.ph.
With the Green Archers having to brave through the rest of the season without Baclaan and Amos, Macalalag gave his breakthrough offensive performance, dropping a career-high 18 points on four triples against first round tormentor University of Santo Tomas.
According to Macalalag, his outburst couldn’t have been possible without Robinson, who hyped him up before even stepping onto the court.
“Actually, before game nga, binulungan ako ni coach na, ‘Kumpiyansa!’ So hearing from your coach, sobrang laking boost sa'kin no'n,” he shared.
“Minsan kasi yung small things yung mga nakakalimutan na players. So yun nga, sabi nila coach, tina-try ko lang din maging superstar dun sa role na binigay nila,” he added.
Gollena’s quiet mode
For Gollena, the goal remains the same year in and year out, regardless of the roster.
“Siyempre, ang mantra namin, it's either we win a championship or die trying. That last season where we lost, ibubuhos namin yung lahat this Season 88,” he exclaimed.
Among Robinson’s crew, Gollena always seems to be one of the most fearless, seeing basketball as nothing more than a game.
“It’s another game. Wala namang babaril sayo dyan or something, so just be confident and know that you’re prepared,” he said.
True enough vs. the Growling Tigers, Gollena was oozing with confidence late game, swishing back-to-back three-pointers that put away the black-and-gold and dropped them to 5-3.
“Sabi naman ng coaches, ‘If you’re open, just shoot.’ ‘Yun lang tumatakbo sa utak ko, to repay their trust and be ready for any possible moment,” he said.
Abadam's leadership by example
After Josh David’s sendoff last year, the chatter for his co-captain role began within the Robinson-led staff. And among key players on the roster, Abadam rose as the most fitting option to pair with Mike Phillips.
Being in a place of leadership isn’t a tall task for Abadam. In reality, it’s something he has long anticipated - he and Phillips, to be exact.
Taking on leadership roles have been conversations the two have shared since his arrival in 2022. Aside from their bond strengthened through faith, Abadam and Phillips always envisioned being the veterans who will serve as pillars of the team.
“That's the biggest blessing that I've had so far in my college career. It's not just basketball, it's the influence that we carry on so many of our teammates, on so many of our fans, but also the community of La Salle,” he said.
With him being second in command to enforce Robinson’s winning culture, Abadam’s confidence in the team reached greater heights, as evidenced by his 10 points and seven rebounds to help the Green Archers to a second straight statement win.
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