La Salle Green Hills’ trio will continue their journey together at University of the Philippines.
Seven Gagate and Joshua Coronel have committed to enroll at UP once they graduate high school, joining NCAA Season 98 Most Valuable Player Luis Pablo there.
All three made their commitment to UP even before the NCAA season began.
“Their accomplishments on the court are well documented, but what has really impressed us is their character and maturity,” said UP Head of Basketball Operations Bo Perasol.
“We feel extremely blessed to have Luis, Josh, and Seven on our team.”
UPMBT Team Manager Atty. Agaton Uvero added, “we want to sustain the progress we have made, and establish a culture of excellence focused not just on the success of the team, but the development and growth of our players.”
The trio has told Tiebreaker Times earlier that it was always their dream to play together as they have been together not just with the Greenies but also in Gilas Youth.
“Siyempre, we’ve played in different levels na together. Kumbaga, for us three, it’s big na nakapaglaro na kami san-san which will be helpful in the future,” said Coronel, who sat out NCAA Season 98 due to an ACL tear he sustained late last year.
Meanwhile, the duo of Pablo and Gagate were the key Greenies that towed LSGH to the Finals.
Pablo, who stands at 6-foot-7, averaged 17.64 points, 13.36 rebounds, 1.93 assists, and 1.21 blocks in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Gagate, a 6-foot-8 big man, normed 15.64 points, 12.88 rebounds, and 1.71 blocks.
The two are set to fill the shoes left by Carl Tamayo and Henry Galinato.
Though they will play in a new system under Goldwin Monteverde, the three 18-year-olds said that they are willing to surrender to any system they will play in college.
After all, chemistry won’t be a problem.
“Siyempre maganda kasi matagal na kami magkasama, may chemistry na. Ang problema na lang is paano kami mag-grow sa panibagong sistema,” said Gagate.
“Basta magkasama kaming tatlo, automatic na yung chemistry namin. Kumbaga kahit hindi kami magsama ng isang taon tapos maglaro kami, alam pa rin namin yung kaya naming gawin,” seconded Pablo.
But Goldwin Monteverde is confident that the seniors will help break the three rookies in.
“It all boils down to hard work. If all of our rookies take their cue from the veterans and work hard, our team will do well,” explained Monteverde.
