Coming off back-to-back fifth-place finishes in UAAP Seasons 86 and 87, University of the East head coach Karl Santos knew that one of his toughest battles heading into the Season 88 Boys’ Basketball Tournament would not be on the court — it would be keeping prized recruits Ethan Aguas and Sizco Roquid in the Junior Warriors’ fold.
Fresh from spearheading UE’s championship run in the Manila Live-NBTC 16-and-under boys’ tournament last March 2025, Aguas and Roquid suddenly found themselves in the middle of a recruiting tug-of-war, with multiple UAAP and NCAA programs trying to lure them away from Recto.
For Santos, the challenge was clear: convince the Junior Warriors’ future cornerstones to trust in the long road toward basketball glory rather than take a shortcut.
“‘Eh ako, hindi ako mahihiya para malaman din ng ibang school — nahirapan din ako i-handle itong dalawang ito dahil ang daming naghabol,” Santos said.
“Actually, sa UE team namin dahil sila yung nag-champion doon sa NBTC na 16U, pero ang akin, thankful ako dahil siyempre, again, yung challenge of letting them stay here sa UE ay napa-stay namin sila.”
Eager to repay the faith placed upon them, Aguas and Roquid stayed put, embracing Santos’ cliché-but-effective ‘weather-weather’ philosophy in high school basketball. It is a system rooted in patience and belief, where every player has a golden opportunity to shine. And timing, as much as talent, dictates success.
That opportunity finally arrived in Season 88.
Now emerging as the Junior Warriors’ formidable one-two punch, Roquid and Aguas willed UE past defending champion University of Santo Tomas to secure their first win of the season.
Unfazed by their breakout performances, Santos believes that Aguas and Roquid are simply reaping the rewards of their patience, having bought into his ‘weather-weather’ philosophy and now finally showcasing the talent they’ve long possessed as a tandem.
“Naniwala sila doon sa weather-weather philosophy. Magkakaroon din ng time na panahon mo naman at naging patient sila doon at rumespeto sila doon. Ako, believer din ako kasi na may mga pangarap din yung mga seniors ko ‘eh. Just like last year, marami akong seniors na kahit nagsu-struggle sila, I still give them the chance dahil pangarap nila ‘yan ‘eh,” the third-year mentor shared.
“Ngayon, oras naman nila Roquid and Aguas kaya sinusulit nila yung oras nila. Kumbaga, pinapakita nila kung ano talaga yung kaya nila ipakita.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Roquid, who barely saw action last year, proved his worth with 26 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals, including clutch plays down the stretch that propelled the Junior Warriors to a four-way tie for third with FEU-Diliman, De La Salle Zobel, and Adamson University.
The South City Homes Academy product stole the ball and scored a layup to extend UE’s lead to 105-102 with 48.3 seconds left. He then sank the dagger free throws to seal the Junior Warriors’ bounce-back win after an opening-day loss to league-leader Ateneo de Manila University.
For Roquid, his breakthrough outing was the result of composure honed under Santos’ guidance, doubling down in practice to be ready when it mattered most.
“Sinanay ko lang yung sarili ko sa practice, lalong lalo na talaga sa practice. Sinasabi nga ni coach Karl kanina na dapat maging composed pa rin. Kaya mas lalo ko pinagtrabahuan ‘yon. Pinaglaanan ko ng oras,” Roquid said.
Aguas, meanwhile, continued to embrace his role as the Junior Warriors’ workhorse, overcoming cramps in overtime to finish with 18 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block.
Beyond his performance, the 6-foot-4 forward is simply glad to have found a new running mate in Roquid, who has showcased his full ability to take over following the graduation of Lance Sabroso and Toper Lagat.
“Sa akin naman, si Sizco kasi masipag ‘yan ‘eh. Masipag mag-extra. Thankful lang ako na kasi nakuha namin siya,” said the youthful mentor.
“Kailangan na kailangan talaga namin siya lalo na nawala yung mga attacker namin from last year. Last year, si Toper at si Lance. Siya na yung pumalit sa ganong role. Kailangan talaga namin siya.”
