How DLSU Men's Basketball Team Dominates the UAAP Season With New Strategies
I remember sitting courtside during DLSU's preseason preparations, watching Coach Topex Robinson diagram plays that looked nothing like traditional Philippine basketball. The energy felt different - less structured, more fluid, and incredibly fast-paced. What struck me most was how they were implementing strategies that seemed to defy conventional UAAP basketball wisdom. Having covered collegiate sports for over a decade, I've seen championship teams come and go, but this DLSU squad feels genuinely revolutionary in their approach to the game.
The numbers speak for themselves - through their first eight games this season, DLSU is averaging 85.3 points while holding opponents to just 72.1 points per contest. Their pace of play has increased dramatically from last season's average of 72 possessions per game to nearly 84 this year. But what's truly remarkable is their three-point shooting percentage sitting at 38.7%, a significant jump from last season's 31.2%. These aren't just marginal improvements - they represent a fundamental shift in how the team approaches offense. I've noticed they're taking nearly twelve more three-point attempts per game compared to last season, which tells me this isn't accidental but rather a deliberate strategic choice.
Their defensive schemes have been equally innovative. Instead of the traditional man-to-man defense that dominates Philippine college basketball, DLSU has implemented a hybrid switching system that frequently morphs into full-court pressure. The statistics show they're forcing 18.7 turnovers per game, leading to approximately 22.4 points off those turnovers. Watching them play, I'm constantly impressed by how they use their length and athleticism to disrupt passing lanes while maintaining exceptional court coverage. Their help defense rotations are quicker than any team I've seen in recent UAAP history, and it's clearly frustrating opponents who are used to more predictable defensive sets.
What's not going to be different, however, is how Crisostomo handles himself when it comes to the media. I've had several conversations with the team captain throughout the season, and his demeanor remains consistently professional regardless of whether they're coming off a 20-point victory or a heartbreaking loss. This consistency in leadership creates stability within the team that complements their innovative strategies perfectly. During post-game interviews, he always deflects praise to his teammates and coaching staff while taking personal responsibility for any shortcomings. That kind of leadership is invaluable when implementing new systems that require buy-in from every player on the roster.
The integration of analytics into their game planning has been particularly fascinating to observe. I spoke with one of their assistant coaches who revealed they've hired two dedicated data analysts this season, a rarity in UAAP basketball. They're tracking everything from opponent's preferred shooting locations to defensive close-out speeds, using this information to make real-time adjustments during games. For instance, they discovered that opponents shoot significantly worse from the corners when forced to put the ball on the floor after catching passes, leading to their aggressive close-out strategy that's become their defensive trademark. This level of detailed analysis represents where basketball is heading, and DLSU appears to be ahead of the curve in the collegiate scene.
Their player development program deserves special mention too. I've watched Mike Phillips transform from a traditional back-to-the-basket big man into a versatile forward who can initiate offense and space the floor. His three-point attempts have increased from just 0.3 per game last season to 3.1 this year, and he's making them at a respectable 34% clip. This kind of skill development doesn't happen by accident - it requires specialized coaching and player willingness to expand their games beyond comfort zones. The coaching staff has done an exceptional job identifying each player's potential and creating customized development plans that maximize their contributions to the team's new system.
From my perspective, what makes DLSU's dominance particularly impressive is how quickly they've implemented these changes. Most teams would need multiple seasons to overhaul their systems so completely, yet DLSU appears to have achieved this transformation within a single offseason. This speaks volumes about their coaching staff's teaching abilities and the players' basketball IQ. During timeouts, I often notice players actively participating in strategic discussions rather than passively receiving instructions, suggesting they genuinely understand the intricacies of their new systems rather than just executing plays robotically.
As the season progresses into its crucial stages, I'm curious to see how other teams adjust to DLSU's unconventional approach. Traditional powerhouses like Ateneo and UP are certainly studying game footage and developing counterstrategies, but DLSU's system appears uniquely difficult to prepare for because of its fluidity and adaptability. Their ability to seamlessly transition between different offensive sets and defensive schemes within single possessions creates confusion that can't be easily simulated in practice. Unless opponents can match their versatility, I suspect DLSU's dominance will continue throughout the season and deep into the playoffs. Their innovative approach isn't just winning games - it's potentially changing how basketball will be played in the UAAP for years to come.
