Patrick Sleat has decided to turn the page in his career, leaving the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA to join San Juan-Go for Gold in the MPBL.
For the 23-year-old native of Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, the move to the professional ranks was a difficult but necessary decision.
“Pinag-isapan talaga namin ng family ko yung decision na ‘to at we decided na ito na yung time to make the leap sa pros for my growth,” Sleat told Tiebreaker Times.
Moreover, the timing felt right.
A product of Far Eastern University-Diliman, Sleat spent the first three years of his collegiate career with the Tamaraws. In 2024, he transferred to Perpetual to reunite with head coach Olsen Racela.
“Five years na rin ako sa college,” he quipped. “Yun naman talaga yung plano namin ng family ko na kailangan ko ng magtrabaho after five years.”
In what ended up as a ‘one-and-done’ season with the Altas, the 6-foot-2 wingman shone brightly.
Sleat averaged 12.0 points, 4.35 rebounds, and 4.18 assists per game, helping Perpetual finish third in the NCAA Season 101 tournament.
“Malaking pasasalamat ko kay Coach O (Racela) dahil hindi lang siya coach ko, parang pangalawang tatay ko na rin siya. Kung wala siya, wala ako dito ngayon. Talagang tinulungan niya ako hindi lang sa basketball kung hindi sa buhay din,” Sleat expressed.
“Talagang malaki ang utang na loob ko sa kanya.”
Also graduating from the Altas are Cedrick Abis, JP Boral, Josh Alcantara, Jearico Nunez, and Kevin Guibao.
He also expressed gratitude to the coaches who believed in him from the very start.
“Nagpapasalamat din ako kayla Coach Allan (Albano), Sir Mark (Molina), Sir Anton (Montinola), President Anton (Tamayo), at sa lahat-lahat ng mga naging coaches at teammates ko,” he continued.
“Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang tiwala at suporta na binigay nilang lahat sa akin.”
Sleat now joins a San Juan team determined to end a seven-year title drought in the regional pro league.
He is particularly excited to finally play alongside former rivals Terrence Fortea, Reyland Torres, Harold Alarcon, and Gerry Abadiano — all of whom he faced in high school and college in the UAAP.
“Siyempre exciting kasi mga top-level athlete sila and very competitive people. Hindi ko din naisip na one day magiging magkakampi kami. Mula high school hanggang college, lagi kami magkakalaban tapos ngayon teammates na,” Sleat said.
“Sisikapin namin na madala yung championship sa San Juan.”
