Rey Remogat made sure his breakout performance for the University of the Philippines came at the perfect time.
And while it happened against his former school, the University of the East, the guard from Cavite was quick to clarify — it was nothing personal.
The 5-foot-10 playmaker delivered a masterful all-around game, posting 21 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, and two steals in 30 minutes.
And his performance secured the Fighting Maroons their first win of the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament — a resounding 92-75 triumph over the Red Warriors on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
For Remogat, the performance wasn’t about revenge.
“Hindi ko ginawang basis ‘yung UE para maging maganda ‘yung laro kasi naniniwala kami na playing as a champion, nag-iistart talaga sa practice. Sa practice pa lang namin, inayos na namin ‘yung mga dapat namin ayusin,” he said.
Instead, his first big game in maroon came from a burning desire to bounce back after rough losses to University of Santo Tomas (87-67) and Adamson University (62-59).
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Against the Soaring Falcons, Remogat was even held scoreless in 20 minutes, missing all four of his attempts.
“Wala namang gigil kasi ‘yun nga galing kami sa dalawang pagkatalo. So ‘yung gigil kasi puwedeng mangyaring pangit pa lalo. Siguro mas nagfocus lang ako sa dapat kong gawin as a point guard,” said the fourth-year guard.
The Season 86 Mythical Team member entered the matchup averaging just 2.5 points on 20 percent shooting. But this time, against UE, he found his rhythm early.
Remogat buried six triples, 18 of his points coming in the first half, as UP stormed to a 53-36 cushion at the break.
Before tip-off, though, he admitted he had to fight through self-doubt.
“Nag-start sa mental,” Remogat said of his resurgence.
“Kasi alam ko naman kahit hindi ako nagbabasa sa social media, siyempre ‘yung feeling ko na pangit laro ko, expectation ng ibang tao pangit ‘yung sasabihin eh,” he admitted.
“Nilalagay ko sa utak ko na hindi ko kailangan i-please ‘yung ibang tao. Kailangan kong gawin kung anong makakatulong sa team. And every time na bad game ako, unang-una nagpi-prepare ako and nage-extra talaga ako before and after ng game, lalo na pag bad game ako.”
