A resolution was proposed late last summer by the UAAP board to decrease the age limit of student-athletes to 24 years old. It caused a major cause of concern for almost all member schools. One of the affected squads was the season hosts, University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.
As the proposal gained traction, Louis Vigil, 25, left his dorm in Espana and found himself signing with PBA D-League team Tanduay Rhum Masters. The former NCAA Juniors Most Valuable Player is one of the pillars that has helped propel the Rhum Masters to the upper echelon of the league.
“Late addition ako dito so kinakapa ko pa yung mga teammates ko,” Vigil said after Tanduay’s triumph over Topstar, its fifth win in its Foundation Cup campaign. “Pero eventually naman, naka-adjust na ako at alam ko na kung paano lumaro ang mga kasama ko.”
However, hope came for Vigil, 9.34 points and 5.11 rebounds in his seniors year, as the proposal never came into fruition. The 25 year old shared that he has returned to UST and has been practicing with the team since Wednesday last week.
“Nag-usap na kami ni coach Boy [Sablan] at siya lang yung first coach na nakausap ko na walang paligoy-ligoy,” he shared about his reunion with Sablan, the coach credited for recruiting him back in 2011. “Ang sabi nya sa akin, ‘Nandito ako para mag-champion. Ikaw ba?'”
“Pinitik agad ako eh. Unang kita pa lang namin, ganun agad siya ka-straight to the point.”
However, Tanduay and the Growling Tigers are still working things out as to how they could share the services of Vigil during this season. “Nag-uusap pa both ang UST and Tanduay. Ang hirap din naman iwan agad ang Tanduay kasi sila ang nandoon nung nawala ako sa UST,” a grateful Vigil said. “Parang disrespect naman pag iniwan ko sila agad.”
Through all of this, the upcoming King Tiger is hoping that he can use this experience of playing with and against semi-professional basketball players to springboard himself to the next level.
“Gusto ko lang dalhin yung confidence ko dito to UAAP,” he closed. “Alam ko naman na sa UST, isa ako sa mga inaasahan.”
“Ang akin lang, hindi ko hahayaang bumaba ulit yung confidence ko. Sana magtuloy-tuloy na at tumaas pa yung confidence ko.”
