After being in a similar situation last year, Rey Remogat can speak from experience for new teammate Veejay Pre as he makes a new UAAP home with the UP Fighting Maroons.
UP point guard Rey Remogat had sage advice for newly-transferred Veejay Pre as chatter continues just days after he announced he was set to join the Fighting Maroons after his exit from the FEU Tamaraws.
Just last year, Remogat was in a similar situation, when his departure from the UE program garnered similar reactions — especially from fans of other UAAP schools.
[READ: UP’s pursuit of Veejay Pre started only after FEU departure — source]
Now that his UAAP debut looms for the Fighting Maroons in Season 88 later this year, Remogat was quick to share his experience with Pre when the latter joined them last week.
“Pagdating niya, kinausap ko kagad siya na kumbaga, shut the noise lang,” Remogat told reporters at the sidelines of the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Monday.
“Parang, wag mo isipin yung sasabihin ng ibang tao sa’yo kasi hindi naman mahalaga sa’yo yun eh, di ba? Kung ano lang yung mahalaga para sa’yo, yun lang dapat yung nagma-matter.”
High profile transfers have long been the talk of the town in the UAAP, especially with sudden exits coming from all directions. But for Remogat, there’s nothing else that matters other than focusing on basketball.
Knowing that he still had a ways to go when he first joined UP last year, Remogat believes that it’s the perfect time for Pre as well to focus on what aspect of his game he can continue to push for, especially as he anticipates a big role for the Fighting Maroons.
“For sure naman, magkaiba kami ng weaknesses bago kami pumasok sa UP. So, siguro sakanya, kung ano yung weaknesses niya yun yung kailangan niya iwork on during his residency,” said Remogat.
Remogat, for his part, is in the midst of preparing for a tough season where he will have to step up following the departure of former UP starting guard JD Cagulangan.
Already used to his place with the Fighting Maroons, Remogat has showed flashes of brilliance and promise ahead of his impending UAAP debut.
During UP’s first game at the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup against NU, Remogat finished with a respectable stat line of 12 points, two rebounds, and four assists.