How La Salle Basketball Is Building a Championship Contender This Season

I remember watching Roger Pogoy during last season's quarterfinals and thinking, "This is what championship DNA looks like." When TNT faced that twice-to-beat disadvantage against third seed Magnolia, conventional wisdom said they were done. But Pogoy averaged 24 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists through that series, and something clicked for me about what La Salle basketball could become this season. We're seeing that same relentless energy and statistical excellence emerging in our current campaign, and frankly, it's exciting to witness how Coach Mike is building upon these proven winning principles.

What struck me most about Pogoy's performance wasn't just the raw numbers—though averaging 24 points against playoff pressure is genuinely remarkable—but how he elevated his game when everything was on the line. I've followed Philippine basketball for over fifteen years, and I can tell you that players who perform under that kind of elimination pressure are different. They're the ones who become championship cornerstones. At La Salle this season, I'm noticing similar traits developing in our key players. There's this growing confidence during crunch time that reminds me of professional players who've been through playoff battles. Our guys are starting to understand that championship basketball isn't about pretty plays—it's about finding ways to win when the system breaks down.

The way Coach Mike has structured our offense clearly draws inspiration from how TNT utilized Pogoy's versatility. We're not just running set plays anymore—we're creating situations where our primary scorers can make reads and decisions based on defensive reactions. Against Ateneo last week, I counted at least six possessions where our guards used similar off-ball movements to what made Pogoy so effective. The numbers might not show it yet in the stat sheets, but the foundation is there. Our scoring distribution has improved dramatically from last season, with three players now averaging double figures compared to just one previously. That balanced attack is exactly what makes teams dangerous in the playoffs.

Defensively, we're adopting that same disruptive mentality that characterized TNT's semifinal run. I've always believed defense travels—it doesn't depend on shooting streaks or friendly rims. What impressed me about Pogoy's playoff performance was how he maintained defensive intensity while carrying the scoring load. That's incredibly difficult, yet we're seeing similar two-way commitment from our starters. Against UE, our defensive rotations were noticeably sharper in the fourth quarter, holding them to just 12 points in the final period. That's championship-level defense, and it's becoming our identity.

Player development has been another standout feature this season. Looking at Pogoy's growth from college star to PBA standout, the progression wasn't accidental—it followed a clear development path. Similarly, our coaching staff has done tremendous work with our big men's perimeter skills. Just yesterday during practice, I watched our center hit five consecutive three-pointers during shooting drills. That versatility creates matchup nightmares similar to what Pogoy provides. We're not just developing specialists anymore—we're building complete basketball players who can impact games in multiple ways.

The culture shift might be the most significant change I've observed. Championship teams have this unique blend of confidence and humility—they know they're good but understand the work required to stay there. After our comeback win against UP, I noticed players weren't celebrating excessively—they were already discussing defensive adjustments for the next game. That maturity typically takes years to develop, yet here we are seeing it mid-season. It reminds me of how professional champions carry themselves—always looking ahead, never satisfied.

Recruiting has clearly evolved too. We're not just chasing star ratings anymore—we're identifying players who fit this emerging identity. The coaching staff recently landed a commitment from a relatively unheralded guard who reminds me exactly of a younger Pogoy—same relentless motor, similar scoring instincts, that undeniable clutch gene. Sometimes the best recruits aren't the most famous ones but those with the right mentality. I've followed recruiting long enough to recognize when a program finds its type of player, and we're definitely hitting our stride in that department.

Our offensive efficiency numbers have jumped from 98.3 last season to 107.6 currently—that's not just improvement, that's transformation. We're taking smarter shots, moving the ball better, and most importantly, understanding time and score situations. Late in close games, our decision-making has been noticeably sharper. Against UST, we scored on 8 of our final 10 possessions—that's championship execution. The players are buying into the system because they see it working in these pressure moments.

What excites me most isn't where we are now but where we're trending. Championship teams peak at the right time, and I'm seeing the building blocks falling into place earlier than expected. Our rotation is solidifying, our defensive schemes are becoming second nature, and our late-game execution keeps improving. The way we closed out our last three games—all against tough opponents—shows this team is developing that killer instinct championship contenders need.

I've been covering college basketball long enough to recognize when a program is turning the corner from good to special. This La Salle team has that feeling—the statistical improvements match the eye test, and the players carry themselves differently. They're not just hoping to win anymore—they're expecting to win. That psychological shift, combined with the tactical improvements we've discussed, creates the perfect storm for a championship run. The pieces are there, the mentality is developing, and the results are following. This could very well be our season.