Youth standout Aaron Buensalida commits to La Salle

The La Salle basketball program successfully attained the commitment of former NU Bullpups and national youth team standout Aaron James Buensalida, both he and Green Archers head coach Derrick Pumaren confirmed to Rappler on Sunday, February 7.

Buensalida, 18, is a 6-foot-5 forward who was part of the NU Bullpups’ back-to-back championship rosters – the latter going undefeated – prior to the UAAP’s cancellation. His style of play and highlights have been compared to PBA great Marc Pingris. 

“Mahaba siya (He’s long-limbed). He can play inside, he can play outside,” said Pumaren, who agreed with the Pingris comparison, but added that Buensalida’s perimeter game at his age is advanced compared to Pingris’ from when he was a college player.

Buensalida’s final choice of where to play college basketball came down to La Salle, where his former teammate Kevin Quiambao has also committed to play, or NU, whose basketball program is now spearheaded by new head coach Jeff Napa.

“Family decision po kasi,” he told Rappler about his choice. “Kaya po ako nakapag La Salle. Kasi gusto din po ng family ko makapag-aral ako sa isang prestigious [school] gaya ng DLSU.”

(It’s a family decision. I chose La Salle because my family also wanted me to study in a prestigious school like La Salle.)

Buensalida became the latest NU-Nazareth talent to shift schools following his family’s Zoom meeting with Pumaren this weekend. He has also asked permission from his NU coaches to depart the program.

His former teammates Carl Tamayo and Gerry Abadiano have committed to play for the UP Fighting Maroons, although Reyland Torres, another talented Bullpup, committed to NU’s senior roster. 

There is anticipation for the commitments from NU-Nazareth’s other standouts, like Terrence Fortea, Harold Alarcon, Steve Nash Enriquez, Ernest Felicilda, and Nathaniel Tulabut.

In addition, there’s also anticipation for the commitment of reigning UAAP high school MVP Jake Figueroa.

Buensalida is a reliable scorer near the rim and the next step in expanding his offensive repertoire is through extending his shooting range, which right now is in the 10-15 feet range, according to Pumaren.  

He’s a steady rebounder who is opportunistic with putback attempts and his long wingspan (reach) will be used by his new head coach to fortify La Salle’s penetration defense and rim protection.

“Siguro for me kung ano yung role na ibibigay sa akin, doon ko muna ifo-focus yung sarili ko,” he said.

“Kung ano yung puwede ko pang maiambag sa team, gagawin ko. Para makuha yung common goal namin as a team, which is mabalik sa Final Four ang La Salle and hopefully na makapag-champion.”

(I’ll focus on whatever role given to me. Whatever it is that I can contribute to the team, I’ll do it. We want to achieve our common goal as a team, which is to return to the Final Four and hopefully become a champion.)

The Green Archers have missed the Final Four of the last two UAAP men’s basketball tournaments. The program aims to flourish in its first period following the Danding Cojuangco-patroned era under the leadership of a head coach who has a history of leading the university to UAAP titles.

DLSU’s lineup lost veteran shooter Aljun Melecio who decided to declare for the PBA Draft, but strengthened his succession with the transfers of playmakers Evan Nelle from San Beda and Mark Nonoy from UST. 

Justine Baltazar, the Archers’ Mythical Five-level big man, is expected to play one more season with La Salle before going pro. – Rappler.com