UE guard Rey Remogat in the Filoil Preseason tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—“Noy, sa’yo na ‘yan.”
(Noy, that’s yours now.)
That was how coach Jack Santiago passed on the leadership role to University of the East’s Rey Remogat after the shocking departure of star guard Kyle Paranada.
After the Red Warriors’ disheartening 73-56 loss to UAAP Season 85 champion Ateneo, Remogat revealed that Paranada’s departure from the team came as a shock to them, especially since he was still actively playing for the Red and White during the preseason.
“When Kyle left, we were shocked. All of us really were shocked when we heard about it. After that, coach just told me, ‘Noy, sa’yo na ‘yan,’” Remogat explained in Filipino at San Juan Arena on Wednesday.
Santiago was referring to the starting role of a point guard.
During Season 85, Paranada and Remogat shared the role as the squad’s playmaker under Santiago which led to a 4-8 record, just a few nudges away from a Final Four appearance.
FILE–Former UE guard Kyle Paranada. –INQUIRER.net
Remogat and Paranada alongside Luis Villegas were the core of UE’s “REDeem team” which bounced back from a winless season the year prior.
With Villegas finishing his one-and-done season for the Red Warriors, the guard duo was set to spearhead the future for UE.
NO HARD FEELINGS
But all that came to a screeching halt when rumors of Paranada leaving the team surfaced this week.
According to Remogat, Paranda was mum on the squad’s group chat when the news broke but ultimately explained his decision to leave when all was said and done.
For Remogat and the squad, there were no hard feelings.
“We understood him when he explained everything to us because it [decision] wasn’t just for him but also for his family,” he explained.
Now holding the role of primary leader for UE, Remogat admitted that there is pressure but he remained confident that he can overcome it.
“Pressure is always there but I’m confident that I can overcome it with the grace of God.”
So far, Remogat is spearheading the Red Warriors’ offense in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup with averages of 20.9 points, 3.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game while UE is holding a 3-5 card.