Just a few games since he started playing in the MPBL for Sarangani, Migs Pascual is now starting to catch the fancy of the big dogs playing in this professional league following a solid game against a team that has been considered as a strong title contender — the Quezon Huskers.
Against the reigning southern division champions, Pascual played the best game of his young career when he unloaded three triples in the second period, then capped his all-around game by pulling down four rebounds, dishing out three assists and completing a steal in Quezon’s 94-77 win.
On top of his steady production, Pascual also came up with a highlight reel — a behind-the-back pass to former PBA guard Kyt Jimenez — as he embraced the new role as the team’s facilitator and took the spot vacated by veteran guard Jeff Viernes.
“Tingin ko parang magandang momentum ito para sa akin,” said Pascual, a former co-captain of the Philippine youth team that played in the FIBA Under-17 World Championship a few years ago where he teamed up with the likes of Kai Sotto, Carl Tamayo and Forthsky Padrigao among others.
“Nakaka-boost ng confidence, especially when you are going up against mga established guards like Judel Fuentes, Diego Dario and LJay Gonzales. Mga pinapanood ko lang yan noon sa UAAP nung junior player pa lang ako, pero hindi ko na-imagine na makakalaban ko sila rito sa MPBL ”
This good showing, according to Pascual, will prepare himself more for the bigger games ahead as they take on former champions Nueva Ecija and San Juan in the next two games and the young player is going to prepare hard and use this game against Quezon as a motivation in trying to get better.
“Kailangang maghanda nang mabuti. Magandang preparasyon rin ito sa possible na pagpasok namin sa play-in phase kasi mas mabigat na mga labanan. I just want to get better and yung remaining games namin will help me along,” added Pascual.
Even the broadcast panelists are beginning to notice the contributions of Pascual.
Mike Perez, who’s been working as an analyst, described how deadly Pascual is each time he released the basketball from the three-point area.
“He’s one guy that you don’t want to leave wide open,” he said. “In my opinion, he’s one of the league’s good catch-and-shoot guys. If you’re defending him, you would rather want him to put the ball on the floor kasi once he let loose a shot from beyond the arc, that would be a lot more challenging on the defensive end.”
