The La Salle Green Archers and supporters celebrated their title conquest in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament with members of the La Sallian community.
On Thursday night, Fans, students, members of the alumni, faculty and school officials showed for a two-hour presentation at the Henry Sy Sr. Hall inside the DLSU campus in Taft Ave.
As the festivities, dubbed “Animo Night” came to an end, coach Aldin Ayo made a vow to the community and legion of fans.
He promised to give the school a back-to-back crown in the coming 80th season of the UAAP collegiate cage wars.
“Ngayon, tapos na ang season. Ito naman ang dapat nating gawin. Let’s get ready for next season, we’re going for back-to-back,” declared Ayo.
Ayo expressed his desire after thanking his players, who later went into a formal autograph signing and selfies with fans.
Their quest for a back-to-back crown next season will be without graduating players Jeron Teng, Jason Perkins, Thomas Torres and Julian Sargent, who served out their last year of eligibility when they won the title with a two-game sweep of their best-of-three finals.
The search will be on for new players who will replace them, and fill up voids in the team.
“The season is basically over the Green Archers. Now, it’s the second semester that we’re preparing for. As for the coach Aldin and the boys, they’ll enjoy the celebrations,” said DLSU office of sports development director Nong Calanog.
Calanog said members of Team B will in included in their preparations for next season.s
“There are no sources of players for the team right except for those in Team B,” added Calanog.
Meanwhile, team skipper Jeron Teng said he was bent on giving his best in season 79 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball finals.
Because, he knows that this is his final year for the Green Archers, he wanted to make up for a disappointing season last year when they missed the Final Four. “Right from the start pa lang, gusto kong ibigay ang best ko talaga. Last game ko na. I really wanted to give my all out for La Salle,” said Teng.
He finished the season with 17.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists. In his last game, Teng hit a career high output of 28 for the second time this season, and added only three rebounds to emerged finals MVP.
