Veteran and UAAP Champion EJ Gollena Departs La Salle
(This is an updated version of this story.)
Veteran collegiate wingman EJ Gollena bid goodbye to De La Salle University on Thursday, July 16, his manager, Anthony Brodett of Phenom Sports Management, confirmed.
Gollena played three seasons for La Salle as a back-up G/F, providing instant contributions off the bench. He now seeks a larger role in the NCAA, where his path will likely take him next.
Championship contenders in the NCAA are expected to show interest in recruiting the former Green Archer, including College of St. Benilde and Letran.
Gollena is a 6-foot-3 guard and wing from Las Piñas who attended Augustinian Abbey School before beginning his college journey at Lyceum of the Philippines University.
He later transferred to De La Salle University and entered the Green Archers’ program as a willing role player, gradually earning a larger place in the rotation through his energy, perimeter defense, and willingness to take open shots from deep.
After seeing limited action during his first UAAP campaign, Gollena developed into a dependable starter and complementary contributor capable of defending multiple positions and supplying timely scoring without requiring the ball for extended stretches.
Gollena has already assembled an impressive championship pedigree with La Salle. He was part of the Green Archers teams that won the UAAP men’s basketball championships in Seasons 86 and 88, while also helping the school capture consecutive men’s 3×3 titles in Seasons 87 and 88—the latter completing La Salle’s fourth straight championship in the event.
His growth was especially evident during Season 88, when he upped his performance towards the end of the elimination round and delivered several important performances, including 11 points in a Final Four victory over National University that kept La Salle’s eventual championship run alive.
Gollena also became a father during his tenure as a Green Archer, welcoming fatherhood following a tough injury recovery with open arms.
