In his return to University of the East for the first time since he turned pro, Migs Pascual made sure he’ll bring along the rich experience of playing in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
But there’s a better reason why Pascual’s reconnection with UE proved to be more significant as Sarangani, a regular team competing in the MPBL, played the Red Warriors in a tune up match, part of the Recto-based dribblers’ build up for the coming UAAP season.
Pascual preserved his best, especially that his old mentor, PBA Hall of Famer and probably Philippine basketball has ever produced, Alan Caidic, was coaching at the opposing end.
Caidic was a big part of Pascual’s early development as a player as ‘The Trigger Man’ became his shooting doctor. The shooting doctor role was inspired by Chip Engelland, Caidic’s former teammate at the NCC-backed national squad at a time when the Philippines was reigning supreme in Asian basketball during the 1980s.
According to Caidic, instead of teaching a group of players in shooting, he would be more hands on in providing them pointers one by one on different sessions to give them more attention.
The PBA’s 1990 Most Valuable Player and one of the league’s all-time greatest players, was amazed at how his old ward’s game improved by leaps and bounds.
“Malaki na rin talaga yung improvement niya,” Caidic said. “Most important thing is how his level of confidence has improved. More than the skill set, it was his confidence that was given a big boost. Sa early goings pa lang ng laro, tatlong sunud-sunod na three-point shots kaagad yung binitwan niya.”
Pascual made his mentor proud with his excellent display of marksmanship and Caidic, who served as a consultant for the Warriors, was quick to take notice.
“I was telling our players, that guy (Pascual) is a shooter, so you better stick with him and true enough, nagpakita nga kaagad si Migs. Even Coach Chris Gavina was amazed by Migs’ performance.”
For Pascual, the reunion with Caidic and his former team, UE, was like a fitting homecoming.
Looking back, the former Batang Gilas co-captain played for UE, his first collegiate team, under then head coach Jack Santiago, before he transferred to San Sebastian where he found himself being handled first by John Kallos, now the current mentor of Sarangani, before he was replaced by Arvin Bonleon.
“I’m happy and excited to be back here,” added Pascual. “Nakatulong rin for me to play at a high level with no less than your old coach, Tito Alan Caidic, watching you play . It added even more that we were playing UE, my first collegiate team, kaya gusto ko talagang makapagpakita ng maganda.”
