Julia Christine Botin

‘Kulang bola?’: Topex hails Baclaan, Cortez’s sacrifices as Green Archers enter life after KQ

Article (news)

Kean Baclaan

Jacob Cortez

Romwel Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1747641981168IMG_7020.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="De La Salle University guard Kean Baclaan. Photo from FilOil Preseason Cup. "/>De La Salle University guard Kean Baclaan. Photo from FilOil Preseason Cup. MANILA — De La Salle University has turned over a new leaf as it officially entered life after Kevin Quiambao.</div>For the first time since 2022, the Green Archers are in the FilOil Preseason Cup without the two-time UAAP MVP as he is now in the Korean Basketball League (KBL), and they opened their campaign by defeating Adamson University, 65-47, in San Juan City.And while La Salle was on the winning end, head coach Topex Robinson admitted that they are still finding their new identity now that they will need to go to war without one of the greatest Green Archers of all time.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/5/18/la-salle-overwhelms-adamson-in-filoil-preseason-opener-2102">READ: La Salle overwhelms Adamson in Filoil preseason opener</a></div>“It’s just being clear with each and everyone’s role in this team,” said the champion coach. “When KQ left, he left a big hole, but hindi pwedeng tatalon na lang lahat kasi KQ is a special species.”“So we’re really clear with who our leaders are, and it is still something that we’re working on right now,” he added.Fortunately for the Taft-based cagers, a couple of playmakers will be looking to step up and take charge for DLSU.The first is Kean Baclaan who finished with 12 points, eight assists, and four rebounds vs. AdU, while serving as his tag team partner is former San Beda University ace Jacob Cortez who scattered eight markers and five dimes.“Excited ako kanina kasi ito yung first time na maglalaro ako na si Coach Topex yung nag head coach,” said the former National University star. “Sa ibang leagues namin, lagi lang siyang nanonood eh, so medyo mas may boost sa laro ko.”<div>For Robinson, it is important to hand the keys to Baclaan and Cortez, especially with the talent and leadership that the two guards bring to the table. <img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1747642030868IMG_7019.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="De La Salle University guard Jacob Cortez. Photo from FilOil Preseason Cup."/>De La Salle University guard Jacob Cortez. Photo from FilOil Preseason Cup. “When he committed to us, I asked him: ‘What does he want?’ He said that he wants freedom to run the show, sila ni Jacob,” said Coach Topex. “So, sabi ko nga, just give them the floor to be the leaders of the team.”</div>Baclaan and Cortez are both known for their shot-creating and scoring capabilities, facets that will help a La Salle squad that struggled with the exits of Evan Nelle and Mark Nonoy in Season 87 even with Quiambao still on the roster.However, does Robinson see any issue especially that both his newest duo are both ball-dominant guards?“Ang maganda sa kanila, they give each other time to find their bearings and they really work together,” he shared.“A lot of questions were raised, na baka kulang daw yung bola, but they are proving them wrong. They give each other time, and they are willing to sacrifice their limelight for the good of the team.”“I really love what I saw, both leaders are really sharing the basketball, and it’s a testament to how they are vying into what we want to show,” he added.Baclaan, Cortez, and the rest of the Archers will continue building on their new roster when they face University of the Philippines on Saturday, May 31, at 4:00 p.m.

De La Salle University has turned over a new leaf as it entered life after Kevin Quiambao.

De La Salle University has turned over a new leaf as it entered life after Kevin Quiambao.