By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Manuel Antonio “Luis” Pablo is moving back to the De La Salle University Green Archers after spending a UAAP season with the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons.

Pablo, who has roots from Bacolod City, stated that his decision to move to the Green Archers was due to his desire to showcase his full potential under the guidance of head coach Topex Robinson.

“Gusto ko rin ipakita kung ano pa ‘yung mga kaya kong gawin. Nakaka-excite na mabibigyan ako ng chance na mas maipakita ‘yun,” Pablo, a member of the De La Salle Greenhill Greenies team during his high school years, said.

“Sisiguraduhin ko lang na talagang mapapakita ko at hihigitan ko pa ‘yung mga expectations ng mga tao, mas lalo na sa sarili ko,” the NCAA Season 98 juniors basketball MVP added.

Green Archers team official Awoo Lacson said they are happy to welcome the 6-foot-7 Pablo back to the team despite choosing to go to the Fighting Maroons during his rookie year.

“We’re very very excited that he’s considering coming back to De La Salle,” Lacson said.

“He’s one of our sons in our La Salle program, and we want them back. We want them to play for us,” he said.

“I think Luis’ abilities cannot be measured at this point. He is full of potential. He will be able to mature to become a very dependable veteran. I think he’s going to help our program to be successful for the years to come,” he added.

Pablo, who averaged 1.5 points and 1.75 rebounds in just 9:09 minutes with UP last year, said he does not expect to have a hard time adjusting with the Green Archers as he was a product of La Salle.

“Tiwala ako sa plano ni Lord sa akin,” the Cavite native said.

“Pinakinggan ko talaga ‘yung family ko — ‘yung mother ko at ‘yung father ko. Tingin din nila na makakabuti ito sa akin,” he said.

“Galing naman ako sa La Salle kaya hindi na rin bago sa akin ‘yung culture dito. Sobrang nakaka-excite maging kakampi sila [La Salle players]. Talagang excited na rin ako,” he added./ASC, WDJ