MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
Nothing got here simple for La Salle when it ended a seven-year championship drought within the UAAP males’s basketball event final 12 months.
The Inexperienced Archers know issues shall be even more durable this season.
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“We actually have to seek out methods to win. We all know that each one groups are gonna be on the market weapons blazing each time that they’re going to be up in opposition to us,” coach Topex Robinson mentioned on Sunday evening after a 78-75 escape act in opposition to Nationwide College (NU) of their UAAP Season 87 males’s basketball duel at Sensible Araneta Coliseum.
That’s why mindset is vital for the defending champions, who’re attempting to excise that title from their minds.
“We determined final season that we need to win the championship. And, it’s given to us now. So, we all know the accountability of being the earlier champions. And, we form of take that out of our vocabulary—we’re not defending something proper now,” Robinson added.
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As a substitute, the Archers play like they’re gunning for one.
Confronted with a seven-point deficit late within the sport, La Salle star and MVP Kevin Quiambao performed like he was chasing a primary title.
Quiambao unveiled his deadeye persona to sink essential buckets and can the Archers to victory.
Take-over mode
“As one of many veterans within the staff, I wanted to indicate that I received’t allow us to lose,” Quiambao mentioned. “I instructed them that it’s not but over and that we simply must execute what we have to do.”
“I instructed myself that I should be in take-over mode and be the dependable man for my teammates so what I did is grow to be the glue man and lead by instance,” this system cornerstone mentioned after contributing 22 factors, eight rebounds and 7 assists.
NU positively introduced its A-game in opposition to La Salle and Robinson acknowledges that effort. However the sophomore coach is aware of that if the Archers need one other profitable marketing campaign, they shortly must get their act collectively and never let up in opposition to any opponent.
Not with each staff attempting to intention on the goal behind their backs.
“Once you don’t respect this sport, you don’t respect the opponent, that’s gonna occur to you,” Robinson mentioned. “We’ll be taught from these experiences. We’d reasonably play these sorts of sport that can take a look at us. We’ve seven … rookies. The extra that they get uncovered, it just about prepares us for the finals.”
“Like what we have been speaking about earlier than the sport, all video games that we are going to play, we’re gonna deal with it as championships till we get used to it,” he added. INQ
