WITH big changes expected to happen to the La Salle Green Archers in Season 81 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament, veteran players will need to step up and help the team reach great heights once again.
Now that they are moving on without coach Aldin Ayo, the La Salle Green Archers will have to be ready for what’s in store for them. Preparing to return to the finals will be among their goals in 2018.
Veteran combo guard Andrei Joshua Caracut says this is what the Green Archers are aspiring to achieve when the season begins in September.
“Kapag galing ka sa talo parang gusto mong maglaro ulit. Pero hindi ganoon ang process. Pagdating sa ensayo, kailangan paghirapan mo talaga,” said Caracut when he graced the finals of the BEST Center-Women’s Basketball League finals, and presented trophies and medals to the winning teams as one of their guest alumni players.
When season 80 ended, Caracut now on his third year, averaged 10.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and a steal.
He earned a slot to the Green Archers as one of the top players of the San Beda Red Cubs, who won three straight National Collegiate Athletic Association junior crowns.
Caracut said the experiences he earned in leading the Red Lions to three crowns is something he shared when the Green Archers fought the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the finals of the last two seasons.
“Malaking bagay iyung experience na nadadala ko sa UAAP, iyung exposure na nakuha ko sa Red Cubs,” Caracut said.
Caracut learned how to play basketball first from his father, Noel, who did not have the same opportunities he had when his dad was just starting. That’s because he had no clinics to join.
“Hindi siya nasuportahan nuon sa kanyang hilig sa basketball. Kaya sa akin niya binuhos. Kasi, walang mga clinics dati,” said Caracut.
At six years old, and while a grade school student at International School for Better Beginnings, Caracut learned many basic moves at the Milo Best Center in Lucena, with coach Allan Ascue as the first coach to help him become a better player.
Being a leader on the court, and as a point guard, was something that his former coach Britt Reroma instilled in him when he joined the Red Cubs later on.
The Green Archers have not only lost graduating player Abu Tratter, they also bade Cameroonian big man and two-time Most Valuable Player Ben Mbala farewell.
Mbala will skip his final year with the La Salle Green Archers after suiting up as a foreign import in a Mexican professional team.
He was acquired by Fuerza Regia, which will have Mbala as import for the second half of their season. Fuerza Regia is playing in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional.
Without Ben Mbala and Abu Tratter the remaining veteran players in the team will need to play lead roles on and off the court if they want to remain the competitive and fighting team they have been the last two years.
The team is preparing for a smooth transition after Ayo’s transfer to the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.
The Green Archers are now handled by new coach Louie Gonzalez.
A replacement for Mbala is now being readied in 6’8” Taane Samuel, who is from New Zealand.