Noy Remogat’s career-high performance against Far Eastern University was a result of his frustration with his previous performance against the Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The second-year guard from Cavite managed to score only eight points, secure four rebounds, and dish out four assists during UE’s 65-58 first-round victory over FEU on October 7.
However, this Sunday’s game was different. Remogat set a new career high, tallying 34 points, eight assists, six rebounds, and three steals.
He became the first Red Warrior to score 30 points since Alvin Pasaol’s 32-point performance in a 66-80 loss to the University of Santo Tomas on October 6, 2018, during Season 81.
“Yung game na yun, parang yun yung nag motivate sa akin hindi pe-pwede mangyari yung ganung bagay kasi pag nangyari yun, parang ang nangyari ay wala akong naitutulong sa team,” he said.
“Kaya yung after nun, talagang extra ako sa mga weights and sa mga skills ko. Kunwari dodobolin ako, kung ako yung ginagawa sa akin in-game, yan yung ginagawa kong extra,” continued Remogat, who tried out for FEU and Adamson before eventually landing at UE.
“Siyempre, na-motivate din ako kase FEU eh. Dun ako nanggaling. Ayun na lang siguro yung gusto kong sabihin.”
The Red Warriors need all the firepower they can muster to build on this win. Remogat recognizes that he is one of UE’s most important players when it comes to scoring.
He holds himself accountable for his team, especially since they are only 15 players strong.
Gjerard Wilson returned to the United States following a dislocated shoulder injury sustained against Adamson University in the first round.
“Siguro yung mindset lang para sa akin ay lalong mag step-up. Kumbaga, kung ano yung role na nawala, pupunoin ko rin,” he said.
“Siyempre kilala naman natin si Wilson na point guard din, so inisip ko lang na para sa kanya din yung laro ko and yung laro na ginagawa ng team… Ganun din yung nagiging mindset ng bawat sa amin.”
The former Baby Tamaraw’s performance boosted UE’s chances of making it to the Final Four for the first time since Season 72.
The Red Warriors improved their record to 4-6, now tied with the Ateneo Blue Eagles in fifth place. They also trail the fourth-placed Adamson Soaring Falcons by just a game, as Adamson has a 5-5 record.
With only four games remaining, the pressure to secure as many wins as possible is mounting since the margin for error is shrinking with each match.
However, UE’s next game will be against the league leaders, the University of the Philippines, this Wednesday.
The challenge of defeating the Fighting Maroons may be formidable, but Remogat and his teammates are ready for it.
“Siguro mas lalo kaming maghahanda sa game na yun. Sa team and individually, kailangan namin paghandaan yun,” he concluded. “Kailangan naming mas lakasan yung mindset ng bawat isa at nung team na kahit top one na team, kaya naming lumaban and manalo sa mga ganung team.”
