Hunger serves as a fitting motivation for Migs Pascual and his new team, San Sebastian, making their partnership as a perfect match in the coming NCAA season.
After sitting out last season, Pascual, a former co-captain in the Batang Gilas Pilipinas squad where he became a part of the champion team of the SEABA a few years ago and represented the country in several other major international tournaments like the Asia Cup and the World Cup, is ready to see action for the Stags.
Pascual hasn’t won a championship ever since he won a crown with the San Beda Red Cubs before the pandemic.
He’s a player who’s used to winning titles.
San Sebastian, on the other hand, is also hungry for a championship.
Since the Stags established a dynasty in the oldest collegiate tournament in the Philippines in the late 1980s and early to late 1990s, the last title of the Recto-based dribblers came during the time of future PBA stars Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang and Ronald Pascual when they won the crown in 2009 coached by PBA great Ato Agustin.
“Ako, personally, I’m always hungry to prove something and I always want to win. So it is truly a good combination, the experience that I’ve had during my high school days, then I’m going to apply it this season and for the next coming years,” wrote Pascual in an online interview with Pinoystep.com.
Although he’s a newcomer, Pascual has been credited by the San Sebastian coaching staff headed by Arvin Bonleon, for being a vocal leader, qualities that he developed when he was still playing for Batang Gilas.
Pascual isn’t the only newcomer who wants to prove something and he sees the other newbies on the team equally eager to make a contribution to the team.
“Si Aki Valina, Lance Masiglat, and Clarence Cruz have great potentials. Si Aki and Lance, galing sila ng Mapua high school, so I think at an early age, makakatulong sila sa team na mayroon kami. Clarence is underrated, high energy on offense and defense. So it’;s a big boost to have them on our team,” added Pascual.
And then, there’s Lanz Ronquillo, formerly from University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs, who is now about to bring his wares in Recto.
Ronquillo is coming off a solid campaign playing for Manila-UST in the recent PSL National Finals where he became the top playmaker, averaging 10 assists per game.
“Lanz Ronquillo is a promising rookie as well. A young point guard with skills na kaya I-lead yung team and yung apat na kasama niya sa loob ng court. Yung experience niya sa NCAA and UAAP juniors, I think, will translate on the college level. Silang tatlo nina Aki and Lance, matagal pa sila magkakasama. So it’s a great thing to have them on our team,” added Pascual.
Pascual is ready to work hand in hand with the rest of the team and embrace the team’s new philosophy.
Although the situation is a lot different now, Pascual is ready to face the challenge.
“During our time in San Beda, with our solid recruitment, and thru the guidance of the late coach Ato Badolato and the coaching staff, we’re favored to win the championship. Halos 15 players nung time na yun, nasa college and naglalaro ng NCAA or UAAP,” wrote Pascual.
“Right now naman, sa Baste, we are the underdogs and our team is in a rebuilding process. But with the coaching staff, management and players that we have, I think we can compete with the top teams. We just need to trust our coaching staff, the system and management, the support of the Sebastinian community, and we, players need to believe in ourselves to reach our goals.”
San Sebastian’s system, according to Pascual, suits his style of play and he believes it will make him a much better player.
“Personally, the difference within the system and playing style with my previous teams to the team of San Sebastian is a lot different. I think makakabuti siya sakin and sa teammates ko. You need to adjust and learn from different playing styles. So it’s a good thing to experience different types of coaching and system and I believe our team at San Sebastian will make me a better player,” added Pascual.
