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Aaron Buensalida departs La Salle, joins Letran Knights in NCAA

Original image courtesy of: PBA Images

An underrated prospect from La Salle’s talent pool is moving to a new home.

Former national team youth standout Aaron Buensalida is transferring to the Letran Knights, he confirmed to ALL-STAR Magazine.

The 6-foot-5 forward said an honest conversation with DLSU head coach Topex Robinson and assistant coach Oliver Bunyi about his future as a Green Archer led to a career-changing decision with the goal of finding a place where he would get playing time on the court.

“Hindi naman ako tinanggal or what, parang kinausap lang ako ni Coach Topex about sa situation ko na baka hndi nya ako malagay sa line-up this season, and parang nahihirapan ako makakuha ng playing time,” Buensalida said in an exclusive interview.

“Same goes with coach din, parang nahihirapan din siya na mag bigay ng playing minutes saskin, kasi nga yung mga ka-pwestuhan ko medyo mabigat din. Kaya pinapili nya ako if gusto ko ba mag stay or lipat nalang, kasi iniisip din nya yung career ko as player, at kasi alam nya na may talent naman daw ako.”

Buensalida heavily contemplated his decision because of his reluctance to give up earning a college degree from La Salle, but remembering that his initial purpose of coming to Manila was to further his growth as a basketball player led him to Letran, which can also provide him quality education.

The Knights are expected to return to NCAA title contention sooner than later in part because of the talent they’ve added under the tutelage of new head coach Allen Ricardo, who is also the high school team’s multi-titled mentor.

Letran still requires depth in the frontline, a need Buensalida can fill.

He will have to undergo one year of eligibility before debuting in his first of three playing seasons in the NCAA come Season 101.

Buensalida is the latest Green Archer recruit to depart from La Salle following Jake Gaspay and Bonn Daja. You can read more about that here: La Salle’s Jake Gaspay, Bonn Daja move to CSB.

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