Enrique Razon to DLSU Green Archers: continue to be hunters
Photo contributed to ALL-STAR Magazine
Like he did before and after last UAAP season, DLSU Green Archers patron Enrique Razon Jr. once again spoke to the team in an effort to motivate the squad as they embark on a mission to win back-to-back men’s basketball championships for the first time since 2001.
Razon, the Green Archers, their coaching staff, and the managers had an intimate lunch held at Solaire last week where the billionaire businessman delivered ambitious lines that will likely stay in the minds of the entire team, including those currently serving residency.
“It’s just about winning another championship. That simple,” head coach Topex Robinson said to ALL-STAR Magazine when asked what the message for Season 87 focused on.
Before UAAP Season 86 last year, Razon hosted La Salle’s team and quoted legendary American football coach Vince Lombardi by saying that “winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” He told the boys that the next time they would break bread with him would only be if they win the UAAP men’s basketball title.
Razon fulfilled his promise a few months later after La Salle defeated UP in the finals then left another lasting message by telling the Green Archers: “First, we were sheep. Now we are wolves and killers!” and “The championship is done. Forget it! Move on. Now, we go for the next.”
That message stayed consistent as they met less than two weeks before the beginning of La Salle’s title defense.
“You are no longer a champion team because that was the past. It’s history. Yesterday’s win is done, finished. You can’t change history. However, what you are in control of is for the next one,” Razon was quoted saying to the team, according to a source.
“The team needs to give the same effort for 40 mins,” he added. “Even if you lead by 10 or 20 points, the goal is to double the lead at the end of the game. Never be satisfied.”
Razon also pointed out that: “They say the DLSU [Green Archers] were the hunters and now they are the hunted… I say that is wrong. The team should continue to be hunters. Just like a pride of lions, always hunting , killing, and eating. After a few hours they again start the whole cycle. Be like a pride of lions. Always hungry , never satisfied, and feared.”
Razon made clear once again that DLSU will only dine with him again if they do something the school hasn’t done for 23 years: win back-to-back championships.
“This lunch will be the last and [there will be] no team dinners after every game. The only dinner we will have is to celebrate our championship for this coming season,” he emphasized.
La Salle begins their title defense against National University on Sunday, September 8.
