MANILA, Philippines – Green Archers swingman Joshua Torralba announced on his Instagram account late Monday, February 1, that he is leaving the Green Archers after spending just one year with the team.
“As years go by of my collegiate career something else made company with it as well and a change of heart,” Torralba stated in his social media post.
“After my two years in La Salle, doing one year residency and playing in the [Father Martin] Cup, FILOIL, PCCL, and UAAP, I have decided to finish my education in my previous university in Texas.”
Torralba admitted that his “passion to play the game has drastically drifted away.”
Here’s his full post:
{source} <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:44.537037037% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BBPyXRgAbbP/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">As years go by of my collegiate career something else made company with it as well and a change of heart. 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. To set the foundation flat with pure honesty, my passion to play the game has drastically drifted away from me and change of heart for my future endeavors. I believe that in whatever I do wherever I go, God will make me prosper with basketball or not. 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. I believe the best is yet to come for you guys and I pray for the best this season and more. I'll be watching games and supporting ya'll back home. Animo La Salle! GOD BLESS!</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Joshua Torralba (@joshuatorralba) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-02-01T14:16:20+00:00">Feb 1, 2016 at 6:16am PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> {/source}
In his lone season with the Green Archers, Torralba played in 12 games and averaged 7.6 points and 2.5 rebounds a game while shooting 33% from the floor and 27% from downtown.
Despite La Salle’s turbulent 6-8 season, he established himself as a reliable defender and floor-spreading option.
The 22-year-old also provided DLSU fans with quite the memory after hitting this game-winning 3-pointer against the school’s main rival, Ateneo:
{source} <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ysVx5wuVKqQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> {/source}
Torralba also played for the EAC Generals in the NCAA (PH) in 2011, but headed to the United States a year later after receiving an opportunity to play for University of Texas-Pan America, an NCAA Division I school.
Things didn’t work out at UTPA after the school’s basketball team changed head coaches, thus Torralba returned to the Philippines after receiving a call from La Salle. He served his residency during the 2014 UAAP season. – Rappler.com