La Salle finds much-needed sport changer in former UP recruit Luis Pablo

Now enjoying a key position in La Salle’s title quest, Luis Pablo credit coach Topex Robinson for giving him the belief that unlocked his greatest on each ends of the UAAP finals flooring

MANILA, Philippines – When Luis Pablo jumped from UP to La Salle in 2024, it felt much less like a switch and extra like a real homecoming — a transfer that hinted at a brand new pressure rising within the post-Kevin Quiambao period.

After Sport 1 of the UAAP Season 88 finals, Pablo confirmed his transfer to La Salle was greater than a reunion. It was a championship swing for the Archers and a painful miss for UP.

Pablo, a former highschool MVP from La Salle Inexperienced Hills, proved his price within the Inexperienced Archers’ 74-70 series-opening win in opposition to the Combating Maroons, placing up 7 factors, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and three blocks within the sport, together with some key stops down the stretch to elevate La Salle late. 

The 6-foot-7 Pablo additionally had a tricky process of serving to derail the Maroons’ late rally — guarding UP’s Harold Alarcon, who had 20 factors within the first half earlier than ending with a game-high 34. 

“I all the time wish to problem myself,” Pablo mentioned. “I’m a giant fan of Harold, so I actually wish to problem myself to protect each place.”

“Stopping the most effective man in your opponent’s group is the largest achievement,” Pablo mentioned. “For me, I’ve a defensive mentality, so in these conditions, I do know my obligations.”

All three of Pablo’s blocks got here within the closing interval, two of which had been in opposition to UP guards Alarcon and Gerry Abadiano, and one in opposition to Reyland Torres. 

His brief stab on the 3:27 mark of the fourth quarter pushed La Salle forward, 70-68, a lead they protected till the ultimate buzzer. Earlier within the interval, he  knocked down two key baskets to chip away at UP’s lead and shift the momentum to the Inexperienced Archers’ approach.

Pablo additionally pressured an important turnover with 20 seconds left within the sport that sealed the La Salle win following Jacob Cortez’s clutch triple with underneath a minute remaining within the sport. 

Robinson mentioned La Salle strikes like a group on a string, with each participant realizing his position, trusting the system, and delivering precisely what the second calls for.

“Having KQ (Kevin Quiambao) earlier than is absolutely phenomenal. However once we constructed this group post-KQ, we already are envisioning what we wish to be shifting ahead,” Robinson mentioned. “And that’s to have a gaggle of men collectively enjoying collectively, realizing their roles.”

“Jacob made clutch threes once more. However Jacob talked about what Luis did. These blocks actually modified the trajectory of what we did.”

After spending his highschool years with the La Salle Inexperienced Hills, Pablo joined UP in 2022 to play one season on a restricted position, solely averaging 9.06 minutes per sport. 

He returned to the La Salle system in 2024, hoping to revive the promising profession that when earned him the NCAA Season 98 juniors MVP award.

Now enjoying a key position within the Inexperienced Archers’ title quest, Pablo credited La Salle head coach Topex Robinson for giving him the belief that unlocked his greatest on each ends of the ground within the finals stage.

“Coach T motivated me. Coach T gave me the belief to defend the most effective participant, Harold. When your coach gave you such duty, it’s a unique feeling — you simply dream about it whenever you’re a child,” he mentioned. 

“I used to be so excited and comfortable that Coach T trusted me. Clearly, I made a mistake as a result of he’ll rating even when I give him an excellent good protection. However that’s what actually motivated me,” Pablo added. 

Regardless of the spectacular Sport 1 victory, Pablo vowed to remain on track as they appear to complete off UP in Sport 2 on Sunday, on the Mall of Asia Area. 

“I instructed them after the sport that nobody will have a good time as a result of it’s removed from over. Profitable Sport 1 doesn’t imply we received the championship already. So, [it’s important] having everybody with the identical mindset.” – Rappler.com