La Salle rookie shining bright

When the lights are brightest, normal rookies usually crumble under pressure.

But not Joaquin Tovera, the super rookie of De La Salle University.

Still playing without ace guard Jacob Cortez, the Green Archers relied on spitfire neophyte Tovera to lead their squad to a huge 76-73 overtime win over Ateneo de Manila University in Season 89 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament on Saturday.

The 5-foot-10 combo guard finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and a steal in 32 minutes of action to help La Salle string together three straight wins and move to solo third place with a 6-4 record.

With that, Tovera was named the Collegiate Press Corps UAAP Player of the Week for the period of 28 to 31 October.

“Not having Jacob is a big thing, but you know, I just want to do what’s best for the team,” Tovera, who scored 11 in the first half, told reporters after the win.

“I'm not really trying to be the best player. I'm just trying to be the best player for the team to win the game. Just doing what's best for the team.”

The rookie guard edged Ateneo’s Jared Bahay, Far Eastern University’s (FEU) Kirby Mongcopa and National University’s (NU) Mo Diassana in the voting among print and online reporters covering the UAAP beat.

Over in the women’s division, another diminutive guard stole the spotlight, this time at the expense of the Lady Archers.

University of the East guard Sy Oñate led the Lady Warriors to snap a 31-game losing streak, spanning more than two years, as they squeaked past La Salle, 68-65 last Wednesday.

She erupted for 25 points, two assists, a rebound, and a steal in UE’s victory, which was their first triumph since September 22, 2024, that coincidentally also came over La Salle.

UE improved to 1-7 under coach Ian Valdez.

Oñate got the women’s weekly award over University of Santo Tomas’ Oma Onianwa and Brigette Santos, FEU’s Amayah Espanol, and NU’s Ann Pingol.