University of the Philippines will always turn to Noy Remogat in the clutch, regardless of whether he is scorching hot or struggling from the field.
The 24-year-old graduating guard from Cavite is always ready to take the shots that matter, even when he is cold off the bench or simply cannot get anything going offensively.
His unwavering resolve has helped lead the Fighting Maroons to victories, and Wednesday’s encounter against the Adamson Soaring Falcons at the SMART Araneta Coliseum was no different.
Despite shooting just 1-of-5 from the field late in the game, Remogat continued to attack, knocking down a three-pointer before converting an acrobatic layup to give UP an 82-70 lead with 1:34 remaining. The Fighting Maroons eventually secured that same scoreline for their latest victory.
“Yung faith ko kay Lord kasi hindi nawala kahit na hindi pumapabor sa akin yung laro at yung sitwasyon ng game, hindi ako napanghinaan ng loob. Hindi ako nagmukmok sa gilid, hinarap ko pa rin ang sarili ko at nagstick pa rin ako sa game plan at sa team ko,” said Remogat.
His late-game heroics brought his final tally to 12 points, six assists, and four rebounds as UP cruised to its sixth consecutive victory in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The win also strengthened the Fighting Maroons’ hold on the top spot in the standings, improving their record to 8-2.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
For assistant coach Christian Luanzon, however, Remogat’s confidence and willingness to embrace the spotlight were evident long before he donned the Fighting Maroons jersey.
Those traits were forged through his life experiences, including his time as a seldom-used player at Far Eastern University-Diliman in high school and during his rookie year at University of the East, before earning a bigger role the following season.
“Si Noy, he’s never afraid of the limelight. I think it comes with his upbringing,” said the UP deputy.
“Kumbaga, he wasn’t born with a silver spoon. Ang kanilang pamilya, and ‘yung fight na meron siya, hindi lang sa basketball, sa buhay eh. I think nagta-translate ‘yun sa loob ng court,” he continued.
“Kumbaga ito, parang second nature na sa kanya ito eh. So one thing about his relationship kay Coach Gold, minsan kapag may hinihingi siya in certain situations, give and take sila ni Coach Gold doon. So yun yung trust na na-build nila.”
Remogat, meanwhile, emphasized that his happiness and satisfaction do not depend on his individual scoring output but on UP’s success.
That mindset was evident in the Fighting Maroons’ previous outing against UE, where he finished scoreless but still celebrated a convincing 101-70 victory on October 25.
“Ako naman, kahit naman zero points ako, basta panalo yung team, masaya na ko eh. Kumbaga, 31 points yung panalo namin pero zero points ako, for me, anong karapatan ko para magmukmok kung nakuha namin yung dinasal namin na panalo?” said the UP leader.
“Kung yun ang kailangan mangyari na mag-zero points ako pero panalo kami, okay lang sa akin yun.”
