Leaving UE for defending champion UP meant a new role for Rey Remogat—and the Fighting Maroon guard is now fully focused on making it his own as UAAP Season 88 looms.
Rey Remogat built his early reputation as a one-man offensive powerhouse during his first two years with the UE Red Warriors.
But when he made the surprising decision to move to the defending champion UP Fighting Maroons, he knew that his game—and role—would change.
“Nung paglipat ko [sa UP], binago ko talaga ‘yung mindset ko. Coming from UE na halos 50% ng bola nasa’kin and paglipat ko naman dito, alam ko na hindi ko na magagawa ‘yon,” Remogat said in interview with former UP alumnus CJ Cansino on One Sports' Starting Line-up.
Remogat was the centerpiece of the Red Warriors’ offense in Season 86, when the squad narrowly missed the Final Four. That season, he averaged 16.5 points, a league-leading 7.9 assists, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.0 steals.
He then made a surprising exit last year and transferred to UP. Remogat was required to sit out a season while watching the Fighting Maroons capture their second championship in four years after outlasting rival De La Salle Green Archers.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Star guard Rey Remogat transfers to UP]
Now, Remogat is focused on embracing his new role as the team’s floor general—a playmaker and extension of the coaching staff on the court.
“'Yung goal naman is mag-champion talaga. Siguro ‘yung maitutulong ko sa team, gawin ko ‘yung role ko as a point guard and magiging extension talaga ako ng coaches sa court,” the 22-year-old guard said.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: As UP’s new floor general, Rey Remogat hopes to channel JD Cagulangan’s champ spirit]
That championship run also proved to be the motivation Remogat needed as he heads into his debut season with the squad later this month.
“Na-motivate ako doon sa kung anong nakuha nila and napagdaanan nila, gusto mo rin mapagdaan and makuha. Hanggang ngayon naman, tinatrabaho pa rin naman namin ,” the Season 86 Mythical Team member revealed.
Remogat’s first action in a UP jersey coincided with the Fighting Maroons’ historic three-peat in the FilOil EcoOil preseason tournament, capped by a dominating performance over the National University Bulldogs.
[ALSO READ: UP Fighting Maroons dominate NU to complete Filoil Preseason 3-peat]
Their preseason preps continued overseas last month, where he and the team competed in Japan’s World University Basketball Series, gaining hard-earned lessons despite a winless campaign.
UAAP Season 88 basketball begins September 20.