Can DLSU Men's Basketball Team Make a Historic Comeback This Season?

As I sit here watching the DLSU Green Archers practice, I can't help but wonder if this could finally be their season for redemption. Having followed UAAP basketball for over a decade, I've seen this team go through more transformations than I can count. The question on everyone's mind - and the one I find myself contemplating daily - is whether DLSU's men's basketball team can stage that historic comeback we've all been waiting for. Let me be honest from the start - I'm cautiously optimistic, but I've been burned before.

The numbers don't lie, and they make for some sobering reading. DLSU finished last season with a 4-10 record, their worst performance in recent memory. They ranked seventh in team scoring with just 68.4 points per game and were dead last in three-point percentage at a dismal 28.7%. These statistics kept me up at night, wondering what it would take to turn this ship around. But here's what gives me hope - I've noticed something different in their preseason preparations. The team has added three new recruits standing over 6'5", addressing what was clearly their most glaring weakness: interior defense. Last season, they allowed opponents to shoot nearly 49% from two-point range, and that simply won't cut it if they want to compete with powerhouses like UP and Ateneo.

What really fascinates me about this team's potential turnaround story isn't just the new players or the improved statistics in practice - it's the continuity in leadership. I've had the privilege of covering Coach Topex Robinson for several years now, and there's one thing I can say with absolute certainty. What's not going to be different, however, is how Crisostomo handles himself when it comes to the media. I remember sitting through post-game press conferences last season, even after particularly brutal losses, and being impressed by his unwavering composure. While other coaches might snap at tough questions or make excuses, Crisostomo maintains this remarkable equilibrium that I suspect translates directly to how he handles his players behind closed doors. In my conversations with him, he's always emphasized that basketball is about more than just wins and losses - it's about building character and maintaining consistency in approach, regardless of circumstances.

The team's preseason performance has given me reasons to be genuinely excited. They've won 8 of their 10 preparation games, including an impressive victory against a visiting Korean university team. More importantly, I'm seeing statistical improvements that suggest this isn't just a flash in the pan. Their assist-to-turnover ratio has improved from 1.2 to 1.6, and they're shooting nearly 36% from beyond the arc in these practice matches. Now, I know preseason success doesn't always translate to the actual tournament - I've been covering college basketball long enough to know that - but there's a different energy around this group. The players move with purpose, the ball circulation is crisper, and there's visible improvement in their defensive rotations.

Let me share something I observed during their closed-door practice last week that really stuck with me. During a particularly intense scrimmage, one of their rookie guards missed a defensive assignment that led to an easy basket. Instead of berating him, Crisostomo called a timeout and calmly explained the proper rotation while demonstrating it himself. The very next possession, the same player executed the defense perfectly and created a turnover. This incident reinforced my belief that the coaching philosophy here extends beyond X's and O's. What's not going to be different, however, is how Crisostomo handles himself when it comes to the media, and I'm starting to understand how this consistent approach creates a stable environment for player development. In my opinion, this stability could be their secret weapon in close games where other teams might fracture under pressure.

The schedule ahead won't be easy - it never is in the UAAP. They open against defending champions UP Fighting Maroons, followed by a classic rivalry game against Ateneo. Personally, I think this brutal start might actually work in their favor. An early test against the league's best will reveal their true character quickly. If they can split these first two games or even pull off an upset, the confidence boost could propel them through the rest of the season. I'm particularly excited to see how their new big men match up against UP's Malick Diouf - it will be the ultimate litmus test for their revamped frontcourt.

Looking at the broader picture, DLSU's potential comeback story represents more than just basketball success to me. It's about institutional pride and the emotional investment of thousands of students and alumni who, like myself, have ridden the rollercoaster of hopes and disappointments. The Green Archers haven't won a championship since 2016, and the community is hungry for success. From conversations I've had with players and staff, I can feel that this hunger is being channeled productively rather than creating desperate pressure.

As the season approaches, my prediction is that DLSU will finish with at least 8 wins and secure a playoff spot. They have the talent, the improved system, and most importantly, the steady leadership to make this comeback happen. What's not going to be different, however, is how Crisostomo handles himself when it comes to the media, and I believe this consistency will be their anchor through the inevitable ups and downs of the season. The pieces are there for a special season - now it's about putting them together when the lights are brightest and the standings matter. For the first time in several years, I'm genuinely excited to watch this team's journey unfold, and something tells me we might be in for one of those memorable turnaround stories that makes college basketball so compelling.