UAAP: Lagat blocks out transfer noise, remains focused on UE

University of the East’s Toper Lagat against De La Salle University in UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball. UAAP Media.MANILA — As Toper Lagat’s star continues to rise, so too has the transfer and poaching chatter surrounding the University of the East gunner, but he insists his focus remains on helping the Red Warriors turn the tide.

“As of right now, focus lang ako sa kung saan yung kailangan naming mag-focus, on the team, especially,” said Lagat, who tallied 20 points, six steals, and five rebounds in UE’s 97-88 overtime loss to De La Salle University in UAAP Season 89 on Wednesday.

Lagat has emerged as the league’s leading scorer this season — averaging 20.9 points while shooting 33.3% from long range through his first seven games — and his breakout campaign has been one of the few bright spots for the Red Warriors as they struggle through a 28-game skid.

The 5-foot-11, 20-year-old scorer, however, said the outside noise has little bearing on his approach, stressing that he remains fully committed to the Recto-based squad.

“Naka-focus lang ako sa team para makuha yung win,” he said. “And my confidence comes from my coaches and my teammates. Sila yung dahilan that’s why I’m able to put those shots up.”

For Lagat, the bigger story is not his individual success but the progress UE has shown despite the losses.

“For the past few games, we were doing great,” said Lagat, whose squad also pushed University of the Philippines before eventually falling, 91-81. “Sabi nga ni Coach Pao [Hubaldo], he can see the improvements na.”

Lagat was also quick to deflect praise, crediting the team’s improved performances to the way its preparation and adjustments have started translating into games.

“Sobrang binibigyan kami ng confidence [ng coaches], and yung training and adjustments namin, nag-iba na and nagta-translates na sa games,” he said.

Now, the challenge for UE is sustaining that growth and eventually turning competitive performances into victories.

“Yung results, tuloy-tuloy lang kami. We have many more opportunities to get a win,” he said. “Every game is an opportunity for us to cut our losing streak, so we just need to stay consistent in the end.”

“So sana makuha namin ‘tong momentum na ‘to for the next games, na magpatuloy na yung maganda naming runs,” he added.