De La Salle Green Archers basketball

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De La Salle Green Archers
University De La Salle University
FoundedEarly 20th century
HistoryDe La Salle Green and White (until 1938)
De La Salle Green Archers (since 1939) [1]
Head coach Topex Robinson
Location Taft Avenue, Manila
NicknameGreen Archers
ColorsGreen and white [2]
   
UAAP Championships (11)
NCAA Championships (5)
  • 1939
  • 1947
  • 1956
  • 1971
  • 1974

The De La Salle Green Archers are the collegiate men's basketball team of De La Salle University, which play in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), a collegiate athletic league composed of major universities in the Philippines.

Contents

History

La Salle was a pre-war founding member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 1924. [3] [4] La Salle participated in the NCAA for 57 years from 1924 to 1981. [5] The La Salle basketball players were first referred to as the Green Archers during the basketball games of NCAA Season 16 (1939–40), where La Salle made its way to the finals and won against their eventual archrival Ateneo in an upset for its first basketball championship title in the seniors' division of the NCAA. [6] Accordingly, the news reporters who were covering La Salle games at that time coined the team the "Green Archers" due in part to the La Salle players' accurate shooting skills. [7]

The Green Archer statue Green Archer Statue, De La Salle University.jpg
The Green Archer statue

La Salle won five NCAA basketball titles – 1939, 1947, 1956, 1971, and 1974. The Green Archers won the coveted National Seniors Open Championship, a league participated by top commercial and college teams, twice in 1939 and 1949. [8] [9] In September 1980, La Salle announced its decision to leave the NCAA in a press conference effective after the then ongoing 1980–81 NCAA Season due to a violent basketball game against their archrivals at the time, the Letran Knights. [10]

After bolting out of the NCAA in 1981, the team participated in various tournaments. The Green Archers won the 1983 Philippine Amateur Basketball League (PABL) Championship and 1983 National Open title. [11] La Salle has won three inter-collegiate titles. The school won the 1988 Philippine Intercollegiate Championship. This was later reformatted to become the Collegiate Champions League (CCL), which then became the current Philippine Collegiate Championship League (PCCL) with La Salle winning the championship in 2008 and 2013. [12] [13]

The De La Salle Green Archers in 2010 PCCL 2010 Quarterfinals- De La Salle Green Archers vs. San Beda Red Lions, Nov. 29, 2010-001.jpg
The De La Salle Green Archers in 2010

In 1986, La Salle was accepted as a member of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). [14] Since joining the UAAP in 1986, the Green Archers have won 11 UAAP basketball titles – 1989, 1990, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2007, 2013, 2016, 2023, and 2025. La Salle's basketball program is known for having the most finals appearance with 19, as well as the longest consecutive finals appearance with nine from 1994 to 2002. The program is also known for having won four straight UAAP championship titles from 1998 to 2001. [15] The Green Archers are also known for sharing a rivalry with other competitive teams in the UAAP, especially with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, UST Growling Tigers, and FEU Tamaraws. [16] The most recent championship is the 2025 UAAP Season 88 title, where La Salle defeated the UP Fighting Maroons during the best-of-three series, having lost Game 2 but won Games 1 and 3. [17] [18] [19]

The Green Archers won the UAAP Season 85 3x3 basketball tournament in 2023. [20] [21] They retained the title the following year in UAAP Season 86. [22] [23] They won their third consecutive title in UAAP Season 87. [24] [25]

Prior to the start of the UAAP season, the Green Archers participate in multiple preseason tournaments. In the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup they have won four titles, the latest being the 2016 championship. [26] [27] [28] The Green Archers participated in the Buddha Light International Association (BLIA) Cup, where they last won the championship in 2017. [29] The Green Archers have also participated in the PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup as EcoOil–La Salle, where they have won three straight championships. [30] [31] In the Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup, the Green Archers won their first title in 2024. [32] In August 2024, the Green Archers swept the 2024 World University Basketball Series in Tokyo, Japan. [33] [34] La Salle has also participated in the AsiaBasket tournaments. In May 2025, the Green Archers won against the Ateneo Blue Eagles to claim the championship of the 2025 AsiaBasket College Campus Tour. [35]

The team is currently managed by Raffy Villavicencio, Terry Capistrano, Andres Reyes Jr., and Mans Carpio, [36] with International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) chairman and president Enrique K. Razon as the main patron. [37] Topex Robinson serves as the head coach since 2023, [38] [39] with Caloy Garcia as the lead assistant coach. [40] [41] Other assistant coaches include Marlon Celis, [42] Oliver Bunyi, [43] Renren Ritualo, [44] Mon Jose, Gian Nazario, and JB Sison. [45] Miguel Aytona and Gelo Vito serve as strength and conditioning coaches with Timothy Ting as head nutrionist. [46]

Current roster

De La Salle Green Archers roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHeightYearHigh School
PG 0 Flag of the Philippines.svg Guillian Quines6'0" (1.83m)1stLa Salle Green Hills
G/F 1 Flag of the Philippines.svg JC Macalalag6'1" (1.85m)4thLa Salle Green Hills
G/F 2 Flag of the Philippines.svg Vhoris Marasigan6'3" (1.91m)2ndSan Beda University
G/F 6 Flag of the Philippines.svg Rhyle Melencio6'4" (1.93m)1stLa Salle Green Hills
G/F 7 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Earl Abadam (C)6'4" (1.93m)4thWestfield Sports High School
PF/C 9 Flag of the Philippines.svg Luis Pablo6'7" (2.01m)2ndLa Salle Green Hills
PG 11 Flag of the United States.svg Jacob Cortez5'11" (1.8m)3rdLa Salle Green Hills
PG 13 Flag of the Philippines.svg Kean Baclaan5'7" (1.7m)3rdDe La Salle Zobel
PF 18 Flag of the Philippines.svg Denzel Dagdag6'5" (1.96m)1stXavier School
G/F 19 Flag of the Philippines.svg Andrei Dungo6'3" (1.91m)2ndUniversity of Santo Tomas
PF/C 21 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mason Amos6'7" (2.01m)3rdBrisbane State High School
C 22 Flag of Nigeria.svg Bright Nwankwo6'9" (2.06m)5thEbenezer Comprehensive High School
PF/C 25 Flag of the United States.svg Michael Phillips (C)6'8" (2.03m)5thCreekside High School
G/F 32 Flag of the Philippines.svg EJ Gollena6'3" (1.91m)3rdAugustinian Abbey School
PF/C 34 Flag of the Philippines.svg Lebron Daep6'7" (2.01m)1stUniversity of Perpetual Help System DALTA
PG 99 Flag of the Philippines.svg Gian Gomez5'6" (1.68m)1stLa Salle Green Hills
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Team manager
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Head coaches

Season-by-season records

Until 1997, the UAAP primarily ranked the teams by tournament points using FIBA's method. Starting in 1998, the UAAP primarily ranked by winning percentage. There's no difference in ranking once all games were played, but in the middle of the season, rankings made by these two methods may differ.

Until 1997

SeasonLeagueElimination roundPlayoffs
PosGPWLPtsGPWLResults
1987 UAAP 5th/8146820Did not qualify
1988 UAAP 2nd/81411325101Lost Finals vs Ateneo
1989 UAAP 2nd/81411325202Won Finals vs FEU
1990 UAAP 1st/81411325211Won Finals vs UE
1991 UAAP 1st/81412226101Lost Finals vs FEU [a]
1992 UAAP 1st/81411325202Lost Finals vs FEU
1993 UAAP 3rd/8148622No playoffs held [b]
1994 UAAP 1st/71210222422Lost Finals vs UST
1995 UAAP 2nd/81410424422Lost Finals vs UST
1996 UAAP 1st/81411325312Lost Finals vs UST
1997 UAAP 3rd/81410424422Lost Finals vs FEU

Since 1998

SeasonLeagueElimination roundPlayoffs
PosGPWL PCT GB GPWLResults
1998 UAAP 1st/814131.929—431Won Finals vs FEU
1999 UAAP 1st/814113.786—541Won Finals vs UST
2000 UAAP 1st/814122.857—330Won Finals vs FEU
2001 UAAP 1st/814122.857—431Won Finals vs Ateneo
2002 UAAP 1st/814131.929—422Lost Finals vs Ateneo
2003 [c] UAAP 4th/81477.5004211Lost semifinals vs Ateneo
2004 [c] UAAP 2nd/814104.7141541Won Finals vs FEU
2005 [c] UAAP 2nd/814104.7142312Lost Finals vs FEU
2006 [c] UAAP Suspended
2007 UAAP 2nd/81495.6435541Won Finals vs UE
2008 UAAP 2nd/814104.7143422Lost Finals vs Ateneo
2009 UAAP 6th/81459.3578Did not qualify
2010 UAAP 4th/81486.5714101Lost semifinals vs FEU
2011 UAAP 6th/81459.3578Did not qualify
2012 UAAP 4th/81495.6433211Lost semifinals vs Ateneo
2013 UAAP 2nd/814104.714—541Won Finals vs UST
2014 UAAP 3rd/814104.7141312Lost semifinals vs FEU
2015 UAAP 5th/81468.4295Did not qualify
2016 UAAP 1st/814131.929—330Won Finals vs Ateneo
2017 UAAP 2nd/814122.8571422Lost Finals vs Ateneo
2018 UAAP 5th/81486.5714101Lost 4th seed playoff vs FEU
2019 UAAP 5th/81477.5007Did not qualify
2020 [d] UAAP Season canceled
2022 (S84) UAAP 3rd/81495.6434211Lost semifinals vs UP
2022 (S85) UAAP 5th/81477.5004101Lost 4th seed playoff vs Adamson
2023 UAAP 2nd/814113.7861431Won Finals vs UP
2024 UAAP 1st/814122.857—422Lost Finals vs UP
2025 UAAP 4th/81486.5713541Won Finals vs UP
UAAP totals since 1987516358158.694—97584111 UAAP championships
  1. ↑ La Salle originally won Game 1 of the Finals, but FEU immediately put the game under protest as disqualified player Tonyboy Espinosa still played for a few seconds after being called for his fifth foul. The UAAP granted FEU's protest and ordered a replay, but La Salle did not show up in the replayed game. The UAAP then awarded FEU the game, and the title, by forfeit. [47] [48] [49]
  2. ↑ UST won all elimination round games. Based on the rules at that time, they were then named automatic champions, and other teams were ranked by elimination round finish.
  3. 1 2 3 4 La Salle admitted to have unknowingly fielded two ineligible players from 2003 to 2005. However, the admission was made months after learning about the ineligibility. [50] [51] The UAAP Board forfeited their 2004–05 championship title and had to return their trophy. As a result, FEU was awarded the men's basketball championship for the 2004–05 season. [52] The Green Archers' team standings from 2003 to 2005 were revoked and La Salle was suspended in the 2006–07 season from all UAAP events. [53] [54]
  4. ↑ Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [55] [56] [57] [58]

Honors

Team awards

Individual awards

Notable players

Uniform

Manufacturer

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Why Green and White? - De La Salle University". De La Salle University. Archived from the original on September 9, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Standards for Visual Identity" . Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  3. ↑ "A look back at NCAA's 97 years of being home to legends, icons of Philippines sports". GMA. March 15, 2022. Archived from the original on November 12, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  4. ↑ "NCAA turns 100: The history of the Philippines' oldest collegiate sports league". Rappler. September 14, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  5. ↑ "The Lasallian brand of basketball: Then and now". The LaSallian. June 24, 2012.
  6. ↑ "A Brief History of the Ateneo vs De La Salle rivalry". Esquire. September 11, 2017. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  7. ↑ "De La Salle University: Fast Facts". Inquirer. June 17, 2011. Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  8. 1 2 – National Open Seniors Champion Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ↑ NCAA 25th Anniversary Souvenir Program, San Juan, Rizal: JCP Publishing, 1949
  10. ↑ "La Salle's last game in the NCAA". Take Aim. June 4, 2008. Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  11. 1 2 3 "DLSU Green Archers History Ep 1: Goodbye NCAA! Hello UAAP!". Take Aim. January 18, 2022.
  12. 1 2 "La Salle makes it two collegiate titles, out-shoots SWU for PCCL crown". GMA News. December 17, 2013. Archived from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  13. 1 2 "La Salle sweeps SWU to clinch PCCL title". ABS-CBN News. December 17, 2013. Archived from the original on January 25, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Timeline: UAAP history". Inquirer. August 31, 2019. Archived from the original on September 1, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Five UAAP teams that have truly built dynasties". SPIN.ph. April 4, 2020. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Dissecting Rivalries: La Salle versus Ateneo, UST, and FEU". The LaSallian. October 26, 2015. Archived from the original on March 27, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  17. ↑ "REDEMPTION: La Salle outlasts UP to reclaim UAAP men's basketball crown". ABS-CBN News. December 17, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Doubts to destiny: La Salle trumps rival UP, rises from 4th seed for UAAP title". Rappler. December 17, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Trilogy Ends in Green: 4th seed La Salle tops UP to reclaim UAAP Men's Basketball title". Tiebreaker Times. December 17, 2025.
  20. ↑ "UAAP: La Salle captures men's 3X3 basketball crown". ABS-CBN News. May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Austria powers La Salle past Adamson in UAAP men's 3×3 final". Tiebreaker Times. May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Green Archers emerge as back-to-back Champions in UAAP S86 3x3 Men's Basketball Tournament". Medium.com. May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Same supremacy: La Salle, UST rule UAAP 3×3 hoops after 5-on-5 romp". Rappler. May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  24. ↑ "UAAP: La Salle racks up third straight men's 3x3 championship". ABS-CBN News. May 4, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Green Archers complete UAAP 3x3 basketball 3-peat". The Philippine Star. May 4, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  26. ↑ "FilOil: Green Archers sweep preseason tourney in convincing fashion". The LaSallian. June 19, 2016. Archived from the original on April 17, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Mbala dominates as DLSU wins Filoil title". Rappler. June 12, 2016. Archived from the original on June 12, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Mbala dominates, La Salle downs Arellano for Filoil crown". Inquirer. June 12, 2016. Archived from the original on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  29. ↑ "La Salle Green Archers rule Taipei collegiate tournament via five-game sweep". SPIN.ph. July 30, 2017. Archived from the original on April 17, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  30. ↑ "La Salle-Ecooil completes dominant sweep of PBA D-League". Tiebreaker Times. May 9, 2024.
  31. ↑ "'Winning culture': Perfect La Salle bags historic 3rd straight D-League crown". Rappler. May 9, 2024.
  32. ↑ "La Salle outlasts NU to clinch PinoyLiga crown". ABS-CBN News. June 10, 2024.
  33. ↑ "La Salle dominates Korea U to rule WUBS". Tiebreaker Times. August 12, 2024.
  34. ↑ "La Salle sweeps WUBS with rout of Korea University". SPIN.ph. August 12, 2024.
  35. ↑ "La Salle dominates Ateneo at Moro for Asiabasket title". Tiebreaker Times. May 11, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Topex Robinson signs 3-year extension with La Salle". Tiebreaker Times. July 4, 2025.
  37. ↑ "Enrique Razon to DLSU Green Archers: continue to be hunters". ALL-STAR Magazine. September 2, 2024.
  38. ↑ "Topex Robinson takes over as La Salle head coach". Inquirer. January 19, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Topex Robinson tapped as new La Salle head coach". GMA News. January 19, 2023.
  40. ↑ "Topex taps Caloy Garcia as lead assistant in La Salle". Tiebreaker Times. January 27, 2023.
  41. ↑ "Caloy Garcia joins Topex Robinson at La Salle as assistant coach". SPIN.ph. January 27, 2023.
  42. ↑ "The man behind the muscle: DLSU conditioning coach Marlon Celis". The LaSallian. April 14, 2017.
  43. ↑ "Topex brings in Oliver Bunyi as La Salle big man coach". Tiebreaker Times. January 30, 2023.
  44. ↑ "DLSU Inserts Ritualo as Assistant Coach for One Main Purpose". ALL-STAR Magazine. August 24, 2025.
  45. ↑ "Topex deflects all glory to team of 'head coaches' he formed". Tiebreaker Times. December 8, 2023.
  46. ↑ "Behind the Grind: How the Green Archers' newfound strength and conditioning Coaches laid the groundwork for Championship success". The LaSallian. January 31, 2024.
  47. ↑ "The Rewind: The Origin of the FEU-DLSU Rivalry". Humblebola. October 26, 2018. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019.
  48. ↑ "Coach Franz reacts to Montinola statement". Take Aim. July 22, 2008.
  49. ↑ "Remember this strange end to the FEU vs La Salle finals in 1991?". SPIN.ph. April 3, 2020.
  50. ↑ "DLSU head to contest UAAP ban". The Philippine Star. October 27, 2005.
  51. ↑ "De La Salle mulls move on UAAP ban". The Philippine Star. April 26, 2006.
  52. ↑ "It's been over two decades since La Salle's last triumphant title defense". SPIN.ph. December 6, 2024.
  53. ↑ "La Salle suspended for 1 year, banned from all UAAP events". GMA News. April 21, 2006. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  54. ↑ "La Salle banned for one season". The Philippine Star. April 22, 2006. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  55. ↑ "UAAP cancels Season 83 over 'health and safety' reasons". Inquirer. December 11, 2020.
  56. ↑ "UAAP cancels Season 83 for 'health and safety' reasons". Rappler. December 11, 2020.
  57. ↑ "UAAP cancels Season 83". The Philippine Star. December 11, 2020.
  58. ↑ "UAAP cancels Season 83 in consideration of 'health and safety of the student-athletes'". GMA News. December 11, 2020.
  59. 1 2 "UAAP: Coach Derrick Pumaren wants La Salle to regain winning standard". ABS-CBN News. September 22, 2020.
  60. 1 2 "Pumaren pays homage to his UAAP champion teams for starting La Salle's 'winning tradition'". The Philippine Star. November 28, 2023.
  61. ↑ "Green Archers 2000 UAAP Season Recap". Take Aim. June 14, 2009.
  62. ↑ "Green Archers 2001 UAAP Season Recap". Take Aim. June 18, 2009.
  63. ↑ "La Salle's 2007 'redeem team' the most special for Franz Pumaren". SPIN.ph. August 2, 2020. Archived from the original on September 21, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  64. ↑ "La Salle beats UST, wins UAAP title". Rappler. October 12, 2013. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  65. ↑ "La Salle sweeps Ateneo to become UAAP Season 79 champion". Rappler. December 7, 2016. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  66. ↑ "Back on top: La Salle reclaims UAAP glory in Game 3 blitzing of UP". Rappler. December 6, 2023. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  67. ↑ "Archers best Maroons to reclaim UAAP men's basketball crown". The Philippine Star. December 17, 2025.
  68. ↑ "The Lasallian brand of basketball: Then and now". The LaSallian. June 24, 2012.
  69. 1 2 "Joaqui Trillo: A Tale of an Archer". The LaSallian. November 21, 2012.
  70. ↑ "Athlete Revisited: Lim Eng Beng: The numbers can't do all the talking". The LaSallian. November 5, 2010.
  71. ↑ "La Salle's 1974 team honored on golden anniversary of NCAA title". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  72. ↑ "Jun Limpot: The Main Man". The LaSallian. October 22, 2013.
  73. 1 2 3 "Quiambao joins elite list of La Salle bigs after winning UAAP MBB MVP". Tiebreaker Times. December 3, 2023.
  74. 1 2 "Top 30 DLSU Green Archers who played in the UAAP in the last 30 years". Take Aim. December 1, 2016.
  75. ↑ "Five UAAP teams that have truly built dynasties". SPIN.ph. April 4, 2020.
  76. ↑ "La Salle's Mbala is UAAP Season 79 MVP, Melecio top rookie". Inquirer. December 5, 2016.
  77. ↑ "La Salle's Ben Mbala bags UAAP MVP award for second straight season". SPIN.ph. November 13, 2017.
  78. ↑ "La Salle's Kevin Quiambao crowned UAAP's first local MVP since 2015". Rappler. November 29, 2023.
  79. ↑ "Kevin Quiambao captures second straight UAAP MVP trophy". Manila Bulletin. December 11, 2024.
  80. ↑ "What La Salle greats had to say about MVP frontrunner Kevin Quiambao". SPIN.ph. November 28, 2023.
  81. ↑ "Renren says great career not possible if not for Green Archers 'brothers'". SPIN.ph. November 29, 2023.
  82. ↑ "Throwback: Green Archers in the PBA". The LaSallian. May 26, 2014.
  83. 1 2 "UAAP: Archers grab caging title after crushing Warriors". GMA News. October 7, 2007.
  84. ↑ "La Salle's Jeron Teng named UAAP finals MVP". Inquirer. October 12, 2013.
  85. ↑ "UAAP Finals: Jeron Teng celebrates perfect ending to time in La Salle". ABS-CBN News. December 7, 2016.
  86. ↑ "Kevin Quiambao takes well-deserved UAAP 86 Finals MVP". Tiebreaker Times. December 6, 2023.
  87. ↑ "Mike Phillips leads La Salle to UAAP glory, named Finals MVP". Tiebreaker Times. December 17, 2025.
  88. ↑ "UAAP legend Ren-Ren Ritualo names his all-time La Salle 5". Rappler. April 8, 2020.
  89. ↑ "DLSU's Andrei Caracut to win UAAP Rookie of the Year". Rappler. November 19, 2015.
  90. ↑ "Mac Cardona was more than just a scorer, says Derrick Pumaren". Tiebreaker Times. May 11, 2020.
  91. ↑ "JV Casio: From Archer to Ace". The LaSallian. February 22, 2013.
  92. ↑ "The Taft Ride of Jeron Teng". Tiebreaker Times. December 17, 2016.
  93. ↑ "Timely tonic for La Salle as Andrei Caracut beats Lee in close race for Rookie of Year award". SPIN.ph. November 19, 2015.
  94. ↑ "Mbala to be named UAAP MVP; Melecio Rookie of the Year". Rappler. December 5, 2016.
  95. ↑ "UAAP: Kevin Quiambao returning to La Salle with goal of winning title next season". Inquirer. December 14, 2022.
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