Whether he plays for a powerhouse team or a squad that is still considered as a work in progress, Migs Pascual is more focused on becoming a much better player and make the most out of the opportunity given to him.
But playing in his second season with new and improved San Sebastian Stags, Pascual believes this season could be the best opportunity for them to make a good run altogether.
The retooling Stags made some changes from management to coaching staff as former PBA player Rob Labagala will now take over the coaching reins replacing Arvin Bonleon. He’ll be assisted by Gilbert Lao, another ex-pro, and Carmelo Navarro.
All of them made it clear to the squad that they want to relive the winning legacy of the school that became the most dominant team of the 1990s and late 1980s.
“Yung San Sebastian may winning culture rin talaga. Kami ng team, yung coaching staff headed by Coach Rob (Labagala), Final Four talaga ang target namin. Pero siyempre, mas maganda kung mag-champion, kasi marami ring ga-graduate sa amin like sina Paeng (Are), sina Felebrico. Hindi rin ako sure about sa eligibility rules baka rin last year na namin ngayon. So malaking bagay yung campaign this season,” said Pascual.
In his young basketball career, Pascual had already experienced a wonderful journey playing the sport that he loves.
He was able to experience playing all the way to the world stage as a member of the national youth team while playing with the likes of Kai Sotto, AJ Edu and Forthsly Padrigao among others. In his formative years, he had experienced becoming a winner, playing for a powerhouse team San Beda, both in the elementary and high school.
But the joys of continues learning is what drives Pascual and he’s enjoying this voyage.
“Marami na akong experience sa basketball, since bata pa ako. I’ve played for a powerhouse team before like San Beda, nag-champion kami ng juniors. Before that, nag-La Salle Zobel ako, hindi naman powerhouse team, but a great experience. For me, kung saan yung opportunity, you’ll grab it. Kapag basketball player, you have that pride playing whichever team you were given opportunity,” said Pascual.
He takes pride playing the bigger role of reclaiming that old, winning culture San Sebastian lost over the past two decades, and although it’s not going to be a quick fix, Pascual welcomes the challenge of helping the team achieve it.
“Of course, the biggest difference for the teams is the recruitment. Coming out of high school, maramin na rin talagang magagaling na players, so para sa akin, as long as nasa NCAA, UAAP ka, nagagawa mo yung gusto mong gawin and play the sport that you love, I’m OK with it,” said Pascual.
“But for me as a player, whichever team I can grow more and become a much better player, kung saan ako matututo, doon ako. I just want to prove myself first.”
