Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Alfred Aroga’s swan song in the UAAP had the loneliest note when National University bowed to Adamson, 77-53, Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
NU’s soft-spoken big man, however, believes it’s the “Big Man” up above that wrote his final symphony.
“If you study the Bible, God did not want Abraham to reach the Promised Land even though he was the leader of a certain group,” said Aroga after putting up nine points and grabbing 12 boards in his final UAAP game. “I was the leader of this group and maybe He didn’t want me to get to that Promised Land [championship] again.”
“He’s gonna use these kids to step up and reach the Promised Land.”
Of course, Aroga was a vital part of the Bulldogs’ squad that won the crown in Season 77 that broke the school’s 60-year drought.
Aroga, though, is still regarded as one of the best big men during his time and he will always look at the good things he’s done for the Bulldogs during his run with the team.
He was the Finals MVP of that series after averaging 16 points and 13 rebounds in the three-game series against Far Eastern University.
“I left a really good legacy, and me I don’t think about me because what I learned here in the Philippines and in life is for you to succeed faster, you have to help the people surrounding you,” said Aroga.
“I have a lot of guys who succeeded, Glen [Khobuntin], Troy [Rosario], all those guys. I’m happy to see them where they are today.”