After two seasons of representing University of the East — highlighted by an MVP runner-up finish in Season 86 — Noy Remogat made the bold move to join the University of the Philippines, chasing bigger stages and deeper playoff runs.
At UE, the General Trias, Cavite native never reached the Final Four, as the Red Warriors finished sixth in back-to-back seasons (5-9 in Season 85 and 4-10 in Season 86).
But in his first year wearing the Fighting Maroons’ colors in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament, Remogat finally reached the postseason — a goal he had long chased in what is being hailed as one of the most competitive Final Four races in recent memory.
“Excited ako, pero at the same time, gusto ko i-focus yung sarili ko sa game,” the 21-year-old floor general told Tiebreaker Times after delivering 25 points on 5-of-8 shooting from three, along with eight assists and six rebounds, in UP’s 82-87 loss to modern-day rival De La Salle University on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
A key driver behind UP’s top-two finish in the elimination round, Remogat averaged 10.64 points, 4.36 assists, 3.86 rebounds, and 1.14 steals.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
While he didn’t hide his excitement for his maiden UAAP Final Four appearance, his focus is more on helping the Fighting Maroons defend their title.
“Minsan kasi yung excitement, pwede ka dalhin sa kapahamakan. Kaya kailangan mag-focus pa rin kasi pag nag-focus ka, dadalhin ka nito sa maganda ‘eh. Susulitin ko lang yung moment talaga,” he said.
Acknowledging that his move to UP raised a few eyebrows, Remogat emphasized that it was never about proving anything to anyone. Instead, it was always about chasing his long-awaited goal: a championship in the country’s premier collegiate league.
And to achieve that, the 5-foot-10 point guard is ready to do whatever it takes to support the graduating ‘Maroon 5’ and Nigerian forward Francis Nnoruka in UP’s quest to win back-to-back UAAP men’s basketball titles for the first time in school history.
“Personally, wala naman ako gusto i-prove pa sa sarili ko, sa UAAP, or sa ibang tao. Gusto ko lang talaga mag-champion at gusto ko lang makatulong sa team. At lahat gagawin ko — kung ano ‘man yung kailangan — para mangyari itong shared goal namin,” he shared.
“Hindi magma-matter kung maganda yung laro or kung maganda yung stats ko if talo kami. Doon pa rin ako tumitingin sa panalo talaga, pero sabi nga ni coach [Goldwin Monteverde] kanina, lesson yung nangyari ngayon na dapat namin dalhin sa Final Four.”
