La Salle Gets Lucky as Gatoria Commits to Green Archers

At just 17 years old, Lucky Troy Gatoria is emerging as an intriguing young basketball prospect in the Philippines, and his future path is now clearer.

According to Anthony Brodett of Phenom Sports Management, Gatoria has committed to the DLSU Green Archers, one of the most successful programs in Philippine collegiate basketball.

Standing 6-foot-3, Gatoria is eligible to play in college in 2026, but the long-term plan is for him to undergo two years of development before officially suiting up for La Salle in UAAP Season 91 in 2028.

Brodett sees a unique blend in Gatoria’s playing style, describing his offensive talent as “a mix of Wello Lingolingo’s shooting and Vhoris Marasigan’s slashing.”

The comparison points to a wing who can stretch the floor while also attacking off the dribble, a combination that fits well with the modern style of play La Salle has embraced in recent seasons. Brodett also emphasized the broader vision behind Gatoria’s development, saying, “Phenom is pushing hard for local homegrown talents outside of the NCR like in Mindanao, boys that shows grit and great potential.”

Gatoria’s rise has been built on consistent performances and recognition at the youth level.

He was named Finals MVP in the Under-17 division of the Intra-Mindanao Junior Championship under the MindanaoOne D.League, a tournament that highlights the best young players from the southern regions.

He has also earned MVP honors in the Iloilo Governor’s Cup 17-and-under division and multiple Best Player of the Game citations in national-level youth competitions. Playing for Mindanao-based Parola Panaon, Gatoria has built a reputation as an impactful two-way presence who influences games beyond just scoring.

Team Parola is under the management of Lubert Macias and with the Partnership of Phenom Championship Clinic under Brodett, who partnered with Off Campus players under Coach Jess Evangelio and the Management of Kapitan Mark Cayetano.

At present, Gatoria is competing in the NBTC Oroqueta regionals and is set to represent Phenom Bluefire in the NBTC Nationals.

His commitment places him within a La Salle program that has enjoyed renewed success in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ men’s basketball division.

The Green Archers reclaimed the UAAP men’s basketball championship in Season 88, defeating the University of the Philippines in a hard-fought Finals series. That title added to La Salle’s long history of success, with the program now holding 9 UAAP men’s basketball championships in the Final Four era.

For Gatoria, the opportunity to develop patiently within a championship-caliber environment could be pivotal. La Salle’s recent track record, combined with a clear development plan, offers a stable platform for a young player still refining his game.

As he continues to compete in national tournaments and prepares for the next stage of his career, Gatoria’s journey reflects a growing emphasis on identifying and nurturing talent from outside traditional basketball hotbeds.