Luis Pablo puts up a near-perfect game to propel the DLSU Green Archers to their fourth-straight win at UE’s expense, continuing their mid-season surge in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.
After an uneven 2–3 start to the season, the DLSU Green Archers seem to have finally found their rhythm — and their timing couldn’t be better.
Against the UE, it was Luis Pablo who provided the spark.
The 21-year-old forward was almost flawless from the field, hitting eight of his nine shots en route to 16 points in a 84–72 La Salle thumping of UE , claiming a fourth-straight win in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
It was another breakout showing for Pablo, who has slowly emerged from a quiet start to become one of La Salle’s most reliable contributors as of late.
After averaging just 4.5 points in the first six games, he has now posted double figures in two of his last three outings — capped by a Player of the Game performance that also featured seven rebounds and two assists in just 23 minutes.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Red-hot DLSU surges to fourth-straight win, share of second after turning back UE]
Team captain Mike Phillips kept Green Archers’ engine humming with a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds.
“We know that this UE team is always going to give their best every time we play against them. I have to give credit to my guys for really being in control of their emotions, especially when UE started to get close,” La Salle head coach Topex Robinson said in the post-game presser.
On target at last
After a slow start, Pablo is emerging as a vital piece for a DLSU side already without Kean Baclaan and Mason Amos for the rest of the tournament.
He is averaging 11.3 points over his last three games while playing his role to perfection—whatever Robinson needs from him.
Luis Pablo in action for La Salle against UE in their UAAP Season 88 men's basketball second-round duel | Photo: The UAAP
“Every game, wala akong personal agenda. Same mindset, same mentality lang to contribute to the team and play my role in the team. Nakikinig lang ako lagi kay coach Topex,” Pablo spoke.
At 5–3 and tied for second, DLSU has clawed its way from near the bottom of the standings to serious Final Four contention—and possibly even a twice-to-beat incentive.
But their next test will be pivotal as the Green Archers face league-leader NU on Sunday, November 2.
“We still have a lot of things to improve on, and the opportunity that we have now is that yes, we are winning—but there are still a lot of things to consider,” Robinson added.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.