THIS early, members of the champion La Salle Green Archers are being prepared for the ups and downs of the coming 80th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.
The Green Archers, according to coach Aldin Ayo, got used to winning a lot of games in the past season, 16 in all out of 17 games.
“Ngayon nananalo ang team. Kung matalo, mag-iiba ang situation. But life goes on. We have to compete, we have to win,” said Ayo after he and Jamike Jarin were shared Coach of the Year honors during the Collegiate Basketball Awards Thursday night at the Montgomery Place Social Hall in E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon City.
One of the team’s key players, Cameroonian Ben Mbala, was named Smart Player of the Year.
Ayo said the team has gone back to practice last week, with Jeron Teng as among the veterans who have left.
In Teng’s place are senior players like point guard Kib Montalbo and forward Prince, who are expected to step up as leaders of the team.
During the awards rites, the Cameroonian center received the highest honor given by the group of scribes covering the collegiate beat for leading the Green Archers to their ninth UAAP championship while winning the league’s Most Valuable Player award.
Mbala and Teng were among the major awardees in the event backed by Smart, Accel, Mighty Sports, MJM Productions and Chooks to Go.