Limpot wants Archers to flash championship form in Filoil cagefest

MANILA, Philippines – Zandro “Jun” Limpot recalled that during his playing days (1987-91), the pre-season for the La Salle Green Archers was the Fr. Martin’s Cup that was in its early years as well as the Metro Manila Basketball League (that is now exclusively for high school teams).

What are the differences then and now?

“Mas scientific yung laro ngayon,” Limpot was quick to answer. “And ibang-iba na yung mga players ngayon. Para ngang lumiit yung court sa sobrang bilis, laki at athletic ng mga players. Minsan nga napapailing ako sa mga ginagawa ng mga players sa court. Dati sa NBA mo lang nakikita yung mga galaw na yun. Malaki talaga yung improvement ng basketball dito sa bansa natin.”

Limpot, who led DLSU to back-to-back titles in 1988 and 1989, also noted that a pre-season tournament like the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup is far different from anything his college team or any other from that era for the matter participated in.

“Mas maganda na yung mga basketball court, mas state of the art yung mga arena. Tapos may television coverage. Syempre iba yun, di ba? Dati naglalaro kami walang nanonood ng pre-season,” he added.

With the Archers coming into the pre-season as defending UAAP champions for the first time in six years, Limpot hopes that the confidence that was attained during a hard-fought campaign will carry over to the pre-season and into Season 77.

“Iba yung may kumpiyansa. Mas buo loob mo. Sana maipakita nila at madala nila sa laro dito sa Filoil,” Limpot said.

The Archers are in Group A of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup along with the University of Santo Tomas, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, University of the East, Jose Rizal University, Mapua Institute of Technology and the University of Visayas.

The tournament tips off on April 23 at the Filoil Flying V Arena of San Juan.