After UAAP Season 87’s heartbreak, the De La Salle Green Archers endured a challenging elimination round before keeping their Season 88 title hopes alive with a Final Four appearance.
It’s hard to push through when things don’t go your way, but that was exactly what the DLSU Green Archers did as they clawed their way into the Final Four of UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball.
Despite all their struggles from devastating injuries to game suspensions, La Salle certainly didn't have it easy in its bid for redemption.
But when it mattered most, the Green Archers were able to find their target — including catching the final bus for the semifinals at the expense rival Ateneo in the very last game of the elimination round, thanks to the heroics of Jacob Cortez.
It doesn't get any easier from there, as the Green Archers now take on the top-seeded NU Bulldogs.
Before the UAAP Season 88 Final Four, let's take a look at the factors that helped La Salle get back on its feet even through a challenging road to the playoffs.
No pain, no gain
La Salle's bid for a bounce back season hit a snag early, when long-term injuries to both Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan in the first round cut the Green Archers down to size — literally and figuratively.
Their nagging health issues, which were compounded by some untimely suspensions, meant that the Green Archers had to battle through rough patches.
Heading into the final game of the elimination round, La Salle controlled its destiny but was also facing a possible triple tie for the last Final Four slot.
But with the steady presence of super senior Mike Phillips, Cortez, and both Amos and Baclaan speeding up their recoveries to rejoin the team, the Green Archers were able to do just enough to advance.
[RELATED: UAAP: Jacob Cortez wills La Salle past Ateneo to catch last Final Four bus]
While it remains to be seen if both players can get back to competition mode in time for the Final Four against the league-leading Bulldogs, the Green Archers have been hardened by a battle-tested elimination round campaign where they finished at 8-6.
If anything, the trials have only made the Taft-based cagers more desperate and ready for a breakthrough.
What’s in a name?
When Cortez joined La Salle, he was prophesied to take over the role of late-game hero from Kevin Quiambao, who already moved on to professionally in South Korea.
Carrying a lot of history with the Green Archers thanks to his father Mike, Cortez has risen to the challenge and has shown up for his injury-hit team time and time again. With the season’s most important game still looming in the Final Four, he’ll have to continue his heroics.
As La Salle’s main floor general, and especially with Baclaan still trying to make his return, Cortez will need to pull out all the stops.
Thankfully, he’s already had some practice.
Underdogs vs Bulldogs
Despite being able to find their rhythm late in the elimination round, things will still be an uphill climb for the Green Archers.
Going 0-2 against NU in the eliminations, La Salle will be facing tall odds against the league's top-ranked team — especially as NU returns to full force with the comeback of Gelo Santiago from his lengthy 5-game suspension.
But La Salle has turned its fortunes around before, with the Green Archers hoping to be able to replicate it under the bright lights of the Final Four.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.