While preseason tournaments are often used to improve team chemistry and skills, the University of the Philippines will head to China for the 2nd Asian University Basketball League championship with one thing in mind: to win.
The Fighting Maroons will clash with the top universities from Asia in the first-of-its-kind pan-regional basketball competition, which will include teams from host China, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Chinese Taipei, and Australia.
The 2nd AUBL tourney is set for August 2 to 9 at the Binjiang Gymnasium in Hangzhou, China, with UP pooled with Japan’s Hakuoh University and Korea University.
“Siyempre manalo. Nandoon naman kami para manalo eh,” Noy Remogat quickly answered on the team’s goal in AUBL.
“Hindi lang kami nandoon for experience, opportunity, and para maglaro. Nandoon kami para manalo, kunin yung championship hanggang sa makakaya namin,” he continued.
Remogat, who has been anointed as the next Fighting Maroons leader, will spearhead the team in the 12-team AUBL field along with Jacob Bayla, Gani Stevens, Veejay Pre, Francis Nnoruka, and Dieonte Miles, with transferees and rookies also joining the action.
Other holdovers from UP’s team last UAAP Season 88 are Migs Yñiguez, Sean Alter, Miguel Palanca, Joshua Coronel, LA Andres, and Chicco Briones. Meanwhile, James Payosing, Rainer Maga, Arvie Poyos, Elliot Dimaculangan, and Russell Ogana are the transferees.
Sean Franco and Joaquin Tovera are the two rookies joining the Fighting Maroons in AUBL.
As the lone team from the country in the AUBL, UP will enter the tournament with extra motivation, looking to bring pride and honor not just to their university, but to the Philippines as well.
“Mag-start pa rin yun sa practice namin. Kailangan namin mag-training as a champion para at least pagdating namin doon, makikipaglaban kami as a champion,” said Remogat.
“Iniisip namin yung opportunity talaga kasi hindi naman lahat ng team nabibigyan ng ganitong opportunity. So sa ganong paraan pa lang, ma-mo-motivate na kami na ibigay yung best namin at kunin yung panalo.”
Hakuoh University was the third-placer in the maiden AUBL championship last year, while the debuting Korean team have won multiple titles in their local league.
Facing top teams from across the region, Remogat shared that this will help UP improve as they encounter different types of basketball from other countries.
“For me, yung character talaga eh (yung masusubukan at matutulungan) kasi sa iba’t ibang bansa, iba’t ibang level din yan, saka iba ‘yung itsura ng basketball na puwede naming makuha doon sa AUBL.”
