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By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--La Salle lost one man from its projected 2016 roster after Josh Torralba announced that he left the team.
"After my two years in La Salle, doing one year residency and playing in the Farther Martins Cup, FilOil, PCCL, and UAAP, I have decided to finish my education in my previous university in Texas," said the 6-2 shooting guard in his Instagram post on Monday night.
Torralba, who was best known for nailing the go-ahead triple in the Green Archers' win over the Ateneo Blue Eagles in their UAAP clash last year, also bared, "...my passion to play the game has drastically drifted away from me."
In spite of his departure and his eventual return to the University of Texas-Pan America, where he played after his stint at EAC, he still thanked La Salle for admitting him to the academe as well as other people who followed his La Sallian journey.
In particular, he said, "I am greatly blessed to be part of the De La Salle University basketball team and nothing of my decision is due to them, coaches, managers, school, staff, but solely on me. There are no words to describe how grateful I am to be part of the most prestigious University in the Philippines and powerhouse basketball program. From the bottom of my heart I want to say thank you to all those who supported me from the La Salle community throughout the Philippines and other countries, alumni, journalists, animo squad, fan clubs, my family, friends, coaches, and everyone who has given me their support since I arrived. To my teammates and to the previous and new coaching staff, thank you for the long ride last year, the friendship, and accepting my decision. To the managers and especially Boss Danding, thank you so much for the unbelievable guidance and help you gave me through it all."
Torralba averaged 7.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.8 assist, and 0.7 steal a game last year while converting on 33 percent of his baskets and 27 percent of his triples for the Green Archers.
Torralba's loss puts a hole on La Salle's guard and wing rotations but may give the team some more flexibility in the said positions considering the number of guards and wingers it has.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
In spite of his departure and his eventual return to the University of Texas-Pan America, where he played after his stint at EAC, he still thanked La Salle for admitting him to the academe as well as other people who followed his La Sallian journey.
In particular, he said, "I am greatly blessed to be part of the De La Salle University basketball team and nothing of my decision is due to them, coaches, managers, school, staff, but solely on me. There are no words to describe how grateful I am to be part of the most prestigious University in the Philippines and powerhouse basketball program. From the bottom of my heart I want to say thank you to all those who supported me from the La Salle community throughout the Philippines and other countries, alumni, journalists, animo squad, fan clubs, my family, friends, coaches, and everyone who has given me their support since I arrived. To my teammates and to the previous and new coaching staff, thank you for the long ride last year, the friendship, and accepting my decision. To the managers and especially Boss Danding, thank you so much for the unbelievable guidance and help you gave me through it all."
Torralba averaged 7.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.8 assist, and 0.7 steal a game last year while converting on 33 percent of his baskets and 27 percent of his triples for the Green Archers.
Torralba's loss puts a hole on La Salle's guard and wing rotations but may give the team some more flexibility in the said positions considering the number of guards and wingers it has.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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