Rey Suerte hopes that his short stint with University of the East leads him to the pros.
Right after his final collegiate game, the 6-foot-3 gunner out of Compostela Valley announced his intention to join the 2019 PBA Rookie Draft set on December 8.
“Siguro aakyat na sa PBA kung papalarin,” the 24-year-old said after UE’s 79-77 win over National University to cap off their UAAP Season 82 Men’s Basketball campaign.
Certainly, Suerte has made a mark during his stay in UE.
The two-time CESAFI MVP averaged 17.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, capping it with a 28-point outing against the Bulldogs.
However, he could not lead UE to the Final Four. The Red Warriors ultimately finished with a 4-10 slate.
And he said that the competition in the UAAP helped him improve as a player.
“Grabe ang competition dito, sobrang hirap talaga,” opined Suerte, who served his D-League residency with the Che’Lu Revellers during the 2019 Aspirants’ Cup.
“Pero na-amaze ako sa sarili ko kasi kaya ko palang makipagsabayan kaya thankful ako.”