Clint Escamis and Harvey Pagsanjan were two of the bright spots for University of the East despite its winless campaign in the UAAP Season 84.
Unbeknownst to many, the two are close to each other and talked about things particularly when it comes to their basketball careers.
So when Escamis was thinking of moving out of Recto, it was not a secret from Pagsanjan.
“Actually, kami ni Clint, every day after ng season, lagi kaming nag-uusap,” the former Batang Gilas member. “Mga desisyon na gusto naming gawin after nung season na yun. Parang pumapasok na sa isip niya kasi na gusto niyang mag-transfer talaga sa Mapua, gusto niyang bumalik sa mga coaches niya.
“Pero, syempre ako as a player, as part ng UE, gusto ko, para sa kin, mag-stay siya. Pero sabi ko best decision pa rin sa yo kung ano yung makapag-paganda para sa yo, yun ang piliin mo. Siguro kung ano yung maging desisyon niya lagi, rerespetuhin ko lang.”
The 23-year-old guard said that, at the onset, he hardly felt the exit of his backcourt partner from the Red Warriors as training went well. However, it is in this same regimen that Pagsanjan realized how vital Escamis was to the team.
Escamis averaged 7.64 points, 5.93 rebounds, 4.57 assists, and 2.14 steals per contest, in his lone year with UE. Not only that, but his presence inside the court also provided stability to the Red Warriors’ offense — something Pagsanjan knew they had to fill in.
“Actually lahat kailangan pang mag-step up, nag-aadjust pa sa system ni coach, lalo na maraming bata. Lalo na sa position ni Clint, kailangan talagang may mag-fill in kasi malaking responsibility yung position ni Clint na nawala siya,” the Novo Ecijano guard shared.
“They’re improving naman every day sa training, kita naman ng coaches. Yun lang kailangan talaga ng guidance yung mga bata para mas maging matured sila sa laro.”
Pagsanjan, who is going into the upcoming season as one of UE’s seniors, believes that they need to fast-track the squad’s point guard’s development and that they are grateful for preseason tournaments as they could finally have an avenue to learn and improve.
“Itong FilOil, ito siguro yung preparation para sa bata para mas maging matured pa sila sa mga games namin, lalo na yung UAAP — this coming season 85. Kung ano man yung ginagawa namin ngayon, preparation to para sa mga bata na wala pang masyadong experience.”
With Escamis taking his flight somewhere else, Pagsanjan and the rest of the Red Warriors will look to move forward and carry the battle on.
