As a long-time follower of collegiate sports and someone who’s spent years analyzing team dynamics, I always find the preseason roster reveal to be one of the most exciting moments. It’s more than just a list of names; it’s a promise of the stories, the grit, and the sheer talent that will define the months to come. This year, as we discover the complete and updated DLSU Green Archers basketball roster for the upcoming season, that feeling is particularly potent. The buzz isn't just about freshmen or system retention—it’s significantly amplified by the return of a key figure whose journey reads like a global basketball odyssey. The composition of this team suggests Head Coach Topex Robinson and his staff aren’t just building a lineup; they’re crafting a narrative of resilience and seasoned maturity aimed squarely at reclaiming UAAP glory.
Let’s talk about the headline, the anchor that makes this roster so compelling: the official return of Juan Gomez de Liaño. Now, I’ll be honest, when he left the UAAP scene, I, like many, wondered if we’d ever see him back in the green and white. His path has been fascinating to track—a real-world education in professional basketball across continents. Remembering his earlier stints, the news of his return brings a specific quote to mind, one he shared recently that perfectly captures his mindset: “I feel truly grateful to be in this position right now,” said the 24-year-old Gomez de Liaño, who previously had stints in Japan, Lithuania, and Korea before finally joining the PBA draft. That gratitude isn’t just empty sentiment. You can feel the weight of experience behind it. Playing in Japan’s B.League, then Lithuania, and followed by Korea—that’s not a vacation. That’s a grueling, immersive course in different styles of play, physicality, and pressure. He faced seasoned veterans and agile imports, adapting his game in real-time. That kind of global polish is something you simply can’t teach in a college gym. For a DLSU roster that has sometimes seemed to lack that cold-blooded, closing-time veteran presence in recent seasons, inserting a player with this background is a masterstroke. He’s not just a former UAAP star coming back; he’s a seasoned pro who chose to finish his collegiate eligibility. I expect his leadership, his pace control, and his newfound defensive tenacity learned overseas to be infectious, potentially elevating the play of everyone around him by 15 to 20 percent.
Beyond Juan, the updated DLSU basketball roster reveals a fascinating blend of continuity and strategic new blood. The core that showed such flashes of brilliance under Coach Robinson’s system remains largely intact. The guard rotation, always a point of strength, looks deeper and more versatile. Having a floor general like Evan Nelle, who led the UAAP in assists last season with an average of around 6.8 per game, now potentially sharing backcourt duties with a matured Gomez de Liaño, creates matchup nightmares for opponents. It gives La Salle the ability to dictate tempo in multiple ways. Then there’s the frontcourt. The development of big men like Mike Phillips and Raven Cortez will be crucial. Phillips’ energy and rebounding—he averaged a double-double in the last Filoil preseason tournament—are a given, but his offensive repertoire needs to expand. The whispers from Taft are that he’s been working on a reliable 10-to-15-foot jumper, which if true, would be a game-changer for spacing. What truly excites me, however, are the newcomers. The recruitment class is reportedly strong, with at least two blue-chip forwards who could provide immediate rim protection and scoring in the paint. While I don’t have the exact official names yet, the scouting reports suggest one is a 6’7” prospect who averaged a monstrous 18 points and 12 rebounds in the NBTC league. That’s the kind of depth that wins championships, especially during a grueling 14-game elimination round.
Of course, a roster on paper is just potential. The real test is chemistry and how Coach Robinson weaves these distinct threads together. The system is predicated on defensive pressure, quick transitions, and unselfish ball movement. Integrating a high-usage, experienced player like Gomez de Liaño requires a delicate balance. From my perspective, the key will be ensuring his wealth of experience empowers his teammates rather than making the offense static. The early preseason games will be telling. I’ll be watching how often he defers to set up others in the half-court versus when he takes over. Furthermore, the team’s three-point shooting consistency, which hovered at a decent but not elite 33% last season, must improve. They have the shooters; it’s about creating cleaner looks and instilling confidence. Defensively, this might be the most athletic and switchable DLSU roster in half a decade. They have the tools to be a top-3 defensive team, which, in the UAAP, is often the foundation for a title run.
So, what’s my final take on this complete and updated DLSU roster? I’m genuinely optimistic, more so than I’ve been in a few seasons. They have the star power, the depth, the veteran savvy from an unexpected source, and a coach who has proven he can maximize talent. The return of Juan Gomez de Liaño is the catalyst, a move that signals serious intent. It transforms the narrative from “building for the future” to “competing for the title now.” His journey through Japan, Lithuania, and Korea wasn’t a detour; it was post-graduate training he’s now bringing back to Taft. The pieces are there. If they can forge a unified identity—blending Juan’s pro-level grit with the youthful energy of the holdovers and newcomers—this DLSU Green Archers team isn’t just a contender. They have all the makings of the team to beat when the new UAAP season tips off. As a fan of the game, that’s exactly the kind of storyline you want to follow.
