UAAP: Remogat puts Finals loss behind him as UP looks to right the ship

University of the Philippines‘ Rey Remogat against De La Salle University in UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball. UAAP Media.MANILA — Rey Remogat helped University of the Philippines gain a measure of redemption against Finals tormentor De La Salle University, but the fiery guard stressed that the Fighting Maroons were more focused on getting their campaign back on track.

“Wala namang gigil. Tapos na yun eh. Wala na kaming pwede mabago dun,” said the UP co-captain, who torched the defending champions with 20 points, including three triples, in their UAAP Season 89 matchup on Sunday.

UP’s Season 88 Finals loss to La Salle marked Remogat’s first appearance in a championship series, with the 5-foot-10 guard saw firsthand how Finals MVP Mike Phillips steered the Green Archers to their own redemption campaign after losing to the Fighting Maroons the previous year.

But while UP is also looking to bounce back from that heartbreak, Remogat said the team was more concerned with addressing its immediate issues after suffering consecutive losses before its victory over La Salle.

“Yung dalawang magkasunod na pagkatalo namin, pwede naming mabago, so move on na kami and focus sa present,” said Remogat, referring to UP’s losses to National University and Far Eastern University. “Ang kailangan naming focus, yung sa sarili namin.”

Which is why, rather than dwell on the Finals defeat, Remogat said State U needed to apply the lessons it had learned, particularly when it came to leadership.

“Dapat talaga mag-set kami ng tone sa practice [pa lang],” he said. “Pero ‘di lang naman ako. Sila Jacob [Bayla], sila James [Payosing], at yung ibang leaders namin, sila Gani [Stevens], sila Veejay [Pre], talagang nag-respond yung team.”

Moving forward, Remogat said patience would be crucial as the Fighting Maroons look to string together victories and finally steer their ship in the right direction.

“Sa season na ‘to, meron kaming pwede mabago,” he said. “So talagang gusto naming makuha naman yung sunod-sunod na panalo.”