Humblebola

By Kyle Reiner Pineda

UAAP Season 88 hosted by University of Santo Tomas emphasizes the theme “Strength in Motion, Hope in Action”. In this preview series, HumbleBola will feature how the teams have moved to strengthen their chances of gaining victory and the hope that these actions bring.

Action starts: September 20, 2025

The DLSU Green Archers have made the Finals two seasons in a row. Can they do it again in Season 88?

The Season 87 Green Archers were one of the most stacked rosters in the modern UAAP era featuring A back-to-back MVP in Kevin Quiambao, “Motor” Mike Phillips defending the paint inside with high engine guards in Joshua David, CJ Austria, and more to cause headaches opposing scorers. Unfortunately, they fell against their fellow juggernaut.

This season will be different without superstar KQ, who is now in Korea, as well as Austria and David who both joined the PBA Draft. Can the duo guards in Kean Baclaan and Jacob Cortez, together with the inside bigs in Luis Pablo and Mason Amos get them over the hump this year?

Their preseason run has been nothing short of impressive with the AsiaBasket 2025 College Campus Tour Championship and the early signs of the Baclaan-Cortez backcourt flourishing. Replacing the production of La Salle’s outgoings of around 23 PPG, 12 RPG, and 7 APG is no easy feat, but the current Seniors coupled with the incomings would more than fill that void.

Bright Nwankwo will serve his final year as FSA this season with Henry Agunanne sidelined. Earl Abadam, JC Macalalag, and EJ Gollena will also serve as the veterans on the team who plan to chase two titles in three years for the Green & White.

Since Coach Topex Robinson took over as head coach for the Green Archers, every season has come down to the fine margins to determine the Championship. They got their breaks with missed shots, crucial calls, and late-game execution in Season 86. Those same breaks came back to haunt them in Season 87 as Coach Topex Robinson kept reiterating to his team all season to maintain focused and not let complacency get in the way.

This season, the De La Salle Green Archers will again be stacked top-to-bottom, favorites to win it all this season. If they can figure out who their Plan A scorer is together with a defensive gameplan given the roster at their disposal, they should be poised for a great season ahead.

Prediction: The Green Archers come out firing with their renewed energy. They will have some blip losses in the middle of the season as other teams gain momentum and figure them out. Ultimately, the talent from the Green school win out as they bring back the UAAP title to Taft after a Winner-take-all game in Araneta

Result: CHAMPIONS