MANILA -- Mason Amos shocked the UAAP basketball community more than a year ago, when he jumped ship from the Ateneo de Manila University to longtime archrival De La Salle University.
Now clad in green and white on the other side of the famed rivalry, Amos braces for a clash with the team he left behind for the first time in the UAAP.
"I know it's going to be an eventful one, but again, I just look at it as another game," he told reporters after La Salle carved out a 74-72 win over Far Eastern University on Wednesday.
"The rivalry is still going to be the rivalry, so I still take that into account and yeah, may the best one win," he added, as he broke out of his slump with 14 points, four assists, and three boards to help his team take a 2-1 slate.
READ: La Salle survives FEU fightback, regains winning ways
The Green Archers expect to be tested when they battle the unbeaten Blue Eagles on Sunday, Oct. 5, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
After an abrupt departure from Katipunan, the 6-foot-7 forward admitted that he's not been speaking with any of his former comrades.
"Actually, I'm not talking to anybody from Ateneo," Amos said. "You know, I'm just, my family's here in La Salle and yeah, they're my brothers."
READ: Mason Amos bids Ateneo goodbye
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Amos had received boos from the Ateneo gallery in Season 87, when he was serving a one-year residency. While he expects another hostile environment come game time, the 20-year-old knows exactly how to handle it.
"Again, just block out the noise," he said. "Easier said than done, but I've done it before, so I'll do it again."
However, the Fil-Aussie still expressed enthusiasm in getting in the middle of the next Ateneo-La Salle showdown.
"I mean, it's exciting… You know, just being able to play in a rivalry is always exciting, so I mean, I'm looking forward to it. It's good to be back and yeah, let's see for Sunday."
"Actually, I'm excited to play against all of them. You know, it's a competition for a reason and I'm just glad to see them on the court," he added.
Now integrated into the Topex Robinson system, Amos also gave props to his former mentor Tab Baldwin.
"I know that he's got something planned and I wouldn't be surprised if he has something well planned for us on Sunday," he said. "So it's just us countering what he has planned… You've got to give credit where it's due, he's a good coach."
During his rookie year in Season 86, Amos averaged 8.87 points and 3.4 rebounds per game to help the Blue Eagles reach the Final Four.