Pasaol mulls PBA draft or return to UE next year

ANTIPOLO—As miserable as University of the East may have been for the past two UAAP seasons there was one gleaming hope in the form of power forward Alvin Pasaol.

The burly Pasaol was a scoring machine for the Red Warriors averaging more than 20 points a game in both Season 80 and this point in Season 81.

Pasaol averaged 20.6 points as a sophomore last year and is the league’s best scorer this season with 22.8 points and 10.3 rebounds to boot.

Those numbers, and legend status, may very well leave UE in Season 82 as Pasaol said he’s uncertain if he will comeback to the Red Warriors for next year.

“I’m still thinking if I will return to UE,” said Pasaol in Filipino after the Red Warriors lost to Far Eastern University 80-61 Sunday at Ynares Center here. “Right now I’m still tentative if I will come back especially with what’s happening.”

UE ended Season 80 with a 3-11 record as the seventh seed and currently sits in last place with a 1-11 card this season.

After this year, Pasaol still has two years left in his collegiate eligibility but his draft stock continues to rise.

The 6-foot-4 Pasaol first garnered attention when he exploded for 49 points against Ben Mbala and De La Salle in a 106-100 loss in the first round.

UE head coach Joe Silva said that he will talk with Pasaol regarding the player’s plans of entering the PBA Draft.

Silva added that whatever decision Pasaol says is what UE will follow.

“I’m still thinking if I will apply for the PBA Draft and that’s actually bothering me,” said Pasaol. “I have yet to talk to the coaches and school officials, but I suppose I have to talk with them.”