How Justin Buenaventura Stays Locked In for La Salle (And Why Comfort Is His Enemy)

Justin Buenaventura talks about basketball like someone booting up a game on “all-in” mode—no half-measures, no coasting, just constant forward pressure. The 6-foot Fil-Am guard for the De La Salle Green Archers sees his role in the offense as simple but deadly: he’s a downhill player who penetrates the basket to get his teammates open. Justin is one of the young guns expected to bring fresh energy and prove he belongs in the UAAP spotlight.

His three-word on-court mindset reads like a player profile in a game: “Poise. Intense. Mode.” There’s a clear balance there—staying composed, cranking up the energy, and flipping a mental switch once the ball goes up. Physically, he’s all-in on speed, focusing on “maintaining the foot to dig through the floor” as he explodes. For him, speed isn’t just sprinting in transition; it’s that first step that lets him blow by his defender and get downhill.

His non-negotiable daily routine is surprisingly simple: stretching and form shooting. Before the highlights and the drives, he makes sure his body is loose and his shooting mechanics are solid. Off the court, he keeps his priorities blunt and practical: “Do the school first always. Don’t wait or else you’re putting more stress on yourself.” That discipline connects directly to his understanding of the Lasallian value of “Mores”: “Integrity and groundedness, and staying the course of your goals.”

When things go wrong, Justin leans on “next play” and his faith. For struggling teammates, it’s a quick two-word reminder to move on to the next possession—no dwelling, just resetting. After losses, he turns to God: “He reminds me and us that we take it as a growing pain/lesson and we build on it.”

He admits that “feeling comfortable” is the weakness he’s actively working on, though he’s quick to add that progress has shown. In the long run, what he really wants is simple: “I hope I can leave a mark for what I can do for the team,” not just what he scored. As La Salle reloads for another UAAP title run, Justin Buenaventura is betting that staying uncomfortable—pushing, learning, and attacking downhill—is exactly how he’ll make that mark stick.