By MARK REY MONTEJO
Don’t be surprised if ever the La Salle Archers would emerge victorious once again next season.
Even outgoing Archers King Kevin Quiambao expressed confidence and trust that La Salle will come back stronger even without him.
He’s even excited to what the future holds in the UAAP Season 88 as La Salle aims to fill in the void left by their graduating players with their prized recruits
“Excited ako kung ano ‘yong future holds,” said Quiambao. “[And] excited ako na nandiyan na sila Kean Baclaan, Jacob Cortez, Luis Pablo, [and] Mason Amos,” he added.
That roster, according to Quiambao, will definitely become a force to reckon with next season. For one, that exact same crew have displayed a glimpse of what it can do after recently ruling the 2024 PGFlex Linoleum Invitational Tournament.
“For sure they will be scary next season,” he added.
Even with the departure of the back-to-back UAAP MVP, the Taft-based squad will still be loaded with firepower especially with transferees Mason Amos (Ateneo), Kean Baclaan (NU) and Luis Pablo (UP) tipped to take the cudgels.
Amos, like Quiambao is a part of program of Gilas Pilipinas and other rising stars including Kai Sotto, Carl Tamayo and Dwight Ramos. That stint could help the 6-foot-7 forward bring leadership to squad which is losing some of its mainstays including Joshua David.
Also adding up to the stacked-roster of La Salle is son of a former Archer and two-time champion Mike Cortez, Jacob who led the San Beda Red Lions to a championship finish in NCAA Season 99.
Their presence will be a huge boost for the Topex Robinson-mentored squad with Mike Phillips confirming his
playing his last year for La Salle and Earl Abadam has enough time to recover from his injury.
