The La Salle Green Archers welcomed the inclusion of two homegrown talents, who have decided to stay on to play for their alma mater.
Green Archers’ coach Topex Robinson confirmed this after he accepted the commitments made by De La Salle Zobel forward Rhyle Melencio and La Salle Green Hills point guard Ethan Alian early this week.
Robinson was impressed with Melencio, a member of the UAAP Season 85 Boys’ Basketball Mythical Team.
“I was surprised and impressed with the way he grew and improved. His scoring and rebounding show his potential and his dedication to growing into his craft. Hindi naman ‘yun tsamba dahil ginawa niya talaga ‘yun and that’s the result of his sacrifice for his growth,” said Robinson on Melencio, who averaged 17.4 points and 14.9 rebounds last season.
On the other hand, Alian is an 18-year-old, 6’1” point guard for the LSGH squad, which recently took runner-up honors in the National Collegiate Athletic Association junior cagefest,
He averaged 12.08 points, 5.92 rebounds, 4.31 assists, and 1.62 steals for LSGH in their recent campaign.
“He is a guy who is willing to sacrifice the limelight for the success of his teammates. If you are looking for a player who is willing to give his power away for the good of others, that’s Ethan. That is the value he brings that impressed me the most,” added Robinson.
The Green Archers also got University of the East standout, 19-year-old Vhoris Marasigan, a 6’2” shooting guard.
Marasigan played for Batang Tiaong in the recent Smart-NBTC National Finals, norming 16.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
“’Yung path naman ni Vhoris is different. He took one step back, but two steps forward,” said Robinson.
The trio will join Jonnel Policarpio, Isaiah Phillips, and Matthew Rubico of Lyceum of the Philippines University-Cavite as the incoming freshman cagers of the Green Archers.
