Incoming UP Fighting Maroon Rey Remogat. Photo from UAAP Media.
MANILA — Rey Remogat is set to embark on a new phase in his collegiate basketball career with the UP Fighting Maroons.
READ: Rey Remogat is the newest UP Fighting Maroon
The 5-foot-11 gunner transferred to State U earlier this year following his exit from the UE Red Warriors, and he said that his new family in UP has welcomed him with open arms.
“Sobrang thankful ako sa kanila kasi parang hindi ako bago,” Remogat told reporters at the sidelines of their squad’s contract signing with the Bank of the Philippine Islands on Monday.
“Yung pag welcome nila sa’kin, hindi sila nag dalawang isip na i-welcome ako. Sobrang thankful ako na pinaparamdam nila sa’kin na pamilya na yung turing nila sa’kin,” he continued.
READ: Despite interest from other schools, Remogat remains committed to UE
Making his transition even more seamless is having fellow former UE Red Warrior Gani Stevens on board, and Remogat said the big man was ecstatic when his transfer was made official.
“Nung time na usap-usapan pa lang, nagcha-chat na kami na kung ano daw mga plano ko,” the former FEU-D Baby Tamaraw recalled.
READ: Here is Paul Lee’s take on Noy Remogat’s exit from UE
“Hindi ko sinasabi siyempre, pero nung final na, pag punta ko ng practice, tuwang tuwa siya eh. Parang bata, talon ng talon eh, ganon yung pag salubong niya sa’kin.”
What also excites him aside from their reunion is how they can finally live up to their potential as teammates, especially since they only spent little time on the hardwood while playing for UE.
“Sobrang nakakatuwa kasi before, parang may chemistry na kami. Pwede namin ‘yong ituloy dito, and pwede kaming makakuha ng championship,” he added.
And while Remogat will have to wait for a year before he actually steps foot on the court donning UP’s Maroon and Green, he has already started immersing himself into their system.
“Sa residency ko naman, yun yung plano namin, practice-in yung system ni Coach Gold [Monteverde],” Bared Remogat, who may make his UP debut starting UAAP Season 88. “Hindi naman sila yung dapat mag adjust, ako yung dapat mag adjust. Ako yung bago, so lahat yun trabaho ko talaga. Ako yung dapat makisama.”
Remogat also went on to share how UP veteran JD Cagulangan has helped him in learning UP’s system.
“Sobrang saya na nakakalaban ko si kuya JD sa practice,” said Rey. “Every practice, meron kang natututunan sa kanya eh. Pag nakakalaban mo siya, pag napapanood mo siya, every galaw niya, meron kang matututunan,” he added.
The two will not be able to suit up alongside each other since Cagulangan is already in his final playing year, but Remogat is grateful for the guidance that JD has provided him since his transfer.
“Kaya sobrang thankful ako na naging mataas yung environment, sa team, sa players.”
These are also the same reasons why he opted to transfer to Diliman, said Remogat. However, it is the Maroons’ championship culture that really enticed him to make the move.
“Yung pinakadahilan talaga is gusto kong makaranas ng championship,” revealed the Season 86 Mythical Team member. “Mas na-feel ko rin kasi before na UP yung makakapag bigay sa’kin ng magandang environment sa team at culture ng team.”
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