La Salle’s CJ Austria has returned to become another veteran presence in the Archers’ title defense campaign.
After missing the first four games of UAAP Season 87, La Salle mainstay CJ Austria continues to make up for lost time in the Archers’ ongoing title defense.
The two-way guard has since played six games with the Archers this season, starting with a quiet comeback against the FEU Tamaraws in Round 1. With his return, the Archers get an added veteran presence off the bench who can stabilize the team when his number is called upon.
“Syempre grateful na nakabalik na ako. Nandoon naman ‘yung mga teammates and coaches ko na sumusuporta sakin para makabalik din agad ako and syempre para makatulong din sa team,” he told The GAME after La Salle’s 70-45 win against the Adamson Soaring Falcons over the weekend.
Austria is currently averaging 3.33 points, and 2.83 assists in about 15 minutes of playing time for the Green Archers. As he works his way back, the Archers’ coaching staff has reassured the guard to take his time in rediscovering his peak form.
“Wala naman pressure kasi di naman din ako minamadali ng mga coaches ko na kailangan mag-produce ako nang mga ganitong points, rebounds, assists ganon. So sa mga konting…na sa stats, blessed pa rin ako na nakakatulong ako kahit papaano,” he said.
Being a veteran, Austria doesn’t mind whatever role he’ll play for the Archers. After all, he’s already been impactful despite playing limited minutes, with his 2.83 assists (17 in total) contributing to La Salle’s league-high 21.7 assists per game as of writing.
The fourth-year guard also nabbed six points and five assists against the Falcons, which helped the Archers mount a 20-point lead heading into halftime on Saturday. Austria also finished with a +23 plus-minus in 16 minutes off the La Salle bench in the said contest.
“Siguro kung ano lang ‘yung magagawa ko and kung ano lang ‘yung mako-contribute ko sa team, ‘yun lang. So gagawin ko lang kung ano ‘yung role ko, kung ano ‘yung binibigay samin ng mga coaches. Kung mag-break out, ‘di ba? Thankful pa rin kay Lord,” the fourth-year guard said.
La Salle head coach Topex Robinson and reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao also emphasized Austria’s value to the Archers. Robinson referred to Austria as their “stabilizer”, whose veteran presence is invaluable to this team.
“He’s a good solider, alam niya ‘yung role niya, he takes pride in that, and he’s really embracing one of the leadership responsibilities dito sa team,” Robinson told The GAME in a short follow-up chat.
Like Robinson, Quiambao acknowledged Austria’s veteran status as a fourth-year player.
“Mataas respeto ng buong team sa kanya, mataas ‘yung kumpiyansa namin na babalik siya, babawi ‘yan every game. He has a winner mentality, killer mentality. Nothing but respect kay CJ, mahal namin siya, mahal siya ng Lasallian community. Ride or die namin si CJ, kahit anong gawin niya sa court, suportahan namin siya,” Quiambao told The GAME.
‘Fourth year ko na agad!’
As one of its veterans, CJ Austria has witnessed this La Salle program go from a shaky playoff contender into a title favorite throughout his four years in Taft. An Archer since Season 84, Austria joins Quiambao, Mike Phillips, and Josh David as this team’s undisputed leaders.
“Sobrang blessed, di ako makapaniwala, fourth year ko na agad! ‘Yun lang, as a kuya naman, parang ginagampanan ko pa rin naman, gina-guide pa rin namin. Hindi lang naman ako ‘yung veteran dito,” he said. “Ginagampanan ko lang naman ‘yung pagiging kuya namin sa loob ng court. Syempre off the court din, gina-guide ko lang sila sa tamang [landas].”
Having witnessed the Archers’ various iterations, Austria believes that this current team should be more potent due to their improved chemistry. Despite losing a number of veterans, about half this team have played with each other since the UAAP returned in 2022.
Austria and Phillips have been with the Archers since Season 84, while Quiambao joined them a few months later in Season 85 along with the likes of Raven Cortez, JC Macalalag, and Earl Abadam.
“Samin naman, sobrang…Lalo kaming mga veterans, parang lalong patagal nang patagal ‘yung pagsasama namin, lalong nagiging solid ‘yung pagsasamahan namin. Yun nga, kami kami na lang ‘yung magtutulungan,” said Austria.
On the other hand, the Archers are also fielding a number of newcomers bannered by Doy Dungo and Vhoris Marasigan, and transferees in EJ Gollena and foreign student athlete Henry Agunnane.
“Yung mga rookie naman namin, ready naman sila to step up…Lalo na sila Vhoris, sila Doy alam naman nila ‘yung mga role nila. ‘Di na rin naman kami masyadong kinakabahan kasi alam naman namin na andyan sila, tinatrabaho naman nila…So ‘yun, kumpyansa ako na kaya nila.”
Banner image courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.