Jack Santiago is one proud coach as the University of the East duo of Noy Remogat and Precious Momowei are among those running for individual awards in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
After the first round, sophomore Remogat posted 14.0 points, 7.29 assists, 5.71 rebounds, and 1.0 steal in seven games, accumulating 73.714 statistical points, which places him fourth in the MVP race and among the Mythical Five.
He leads the league in assists while also holding the season-high in points with 27 against Adamson University.
On the other hand, Nigerian center Momowei is leading the Rookie of the Year race with numbers of 11.14 points, 14.29 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.43 steals, totaling 62.143 statistical points.
“Number one na pinakamasaya diyan, second to his family, syempre ako kasi ako yung kumuha sa kanya last year eh,” said Santiago about Remogat shortly after UE’s 64-61 defeat to National University on Wednesday.
“Nag walk-in yan dito sa amin nung pandemic and then he was still studying high school. Sinabi ko sa kanya, dito ka na. I guaranteed him a playing spot, and then when the two Paranadas nawala, I told him this is your year, this is your team,” said the third-year UE coach.
Remogat is grateful for the trust given to him by the coaching staff, which led to his inclusion in the top five of the MVP race.
The 5-foot-10 guard is not aiming for individual recognition, though; he only wants to lift UE out of its five-game slump.
“Para sa akin kasi hindi ko naiisip yung mga ganyang Mythical or number one sa assists. Lagi ko lang ginagawa yung maglaro sa sistema ni Coach Jack,” said Remogat, who had two breakout games last season as his introduction to the league.
“Sobrang grateful ako kasi kahit hindi ko ini-aim yung mga ganong bagay, masaya sila para sa akin na nakukuha ko yung mga ganon.”
Santiago also shared that they are not allowing the Rookie of the Year talks to get into the mind of Momowei, who is just 21 years old.
The Red Warriors’ tactician also tagged Remogat and Abdul Sawat as the ones who need to guide Momowei to be even more solid on and off the court.
“Actually, I don’t want to put pressure on Precious because honestly, he’s a young kid and he’s been helping the team so much, but as much as possible, as coaches, we don’t want to put that pressure or load on him,” said Santiago.
“That’s why sinasabi ko sa dalawang leader ko si Noy at si Sawat na kailangan nilang gabayan si Precious kasi talagang bata pa. Yung mga games na ganito, it’s gonna be a big help to him to be stronger.”
