Seven Gagate's time with UP is done, leaving the Fighting Maroons for La Salle ahead of UAAP Season 88. He will be eligible for the Green Archers in Season 89.
The UP Fighting Maroons’ title defense in UAAP Season 88 took a hit as big man Seven Gagate left the program to rejoin title rivals DLSU Green Archers, following in the footsteps of former high school teammate Luis Pablo.
Gagate’s exit was confirmed to One Sports by UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development Director Bo Perasol on Monday, amid the team’s training camp in South Korea ahead of the upcoming UAAP season.
“Yes, nagpaalam si Seven to transfer,” he said.
“Just like before, we respect the decision of any player who desires to take their talents elsewhere. The UP MBT wishes him well.”
Gagate did not fly with the Fighting Maroons to their last overseas training camp in preparation for UAAP Season 88. He will be eligible to play for La Salle in UAAP Season 89 after serving one year of residency.
Meanwhile, Pablo will be eligible to play for La Salle later this year after leaving the Fighting Maroons after his rookie season.
He was teammates with Gagate at La Salle Greenhills, where they reached the Finals in the NCAA Juniors tournament in Season 98 but lost to Letran.
Neither Gagate and Pablo played significant minutes in their first year with the team in UAAP Season 86 when UP finished second behind Kevin Quiambao and La Salle.
In UAAP Season 87, Gagate was nursing an injury that sidelined him in the Fighting Maroons’ championship run.
Gagate’s exit comes late into the offseason and after playing stints with UP in both the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup and the World University Basketball Series.
Gagate was part of the UP team that completed a three-peat in the FilOil Preseason tiff.