Janrey Pasaol is using his UAAP Season 88 MVP campaign as motivation to push FEU forward, intent on turning individual success into a deeper team run in Season 89.
Winning the MVP award was a huge milestone for Janrey Pasaol, recognizing the work he put in throughout UAAP Season 88.
But the FEU guard sees his MVP-caliber season as only part of a bigger picture, emphasizing that his focus was always on lifting the Tamaraws back into the Final Four.
FEU came close, only to see its postseason hopes hinge on another result on the final day—something Pasaol is determined to avoid moving forward.
“Sa’kin naman, ’yung mindset ko talaga is dalhin ’yung FEU sa Final Four, eh. Ngayong season, muntikan na pero parang ’yung [kapalaran] namin sa Final Four, parang nasa kabilang team, so parang hindi pa rin para sa ’min ’yon,” Pasaol said.
“Dapat lilimitahan na lang namin next season ’yung pag-asa sa ibang team para makapasok. First round pa lang, pukpukan.”
Learning to close
FEU’s season ultimately ended with a scoreboard watch, as the Tamaraws needed help elsewhere to crack the Top 4.
[ALSO READ: Resilient Tamaraws keep charge in improbable UAAP Final Four chase]
The lesson, Pasaol said, was clear.
“Siguro ’yung mga talo siguro namin na sobrang dikitan, siguro ’yun ’yung kailangan naming baunin,” he shared.
“Para sa next season, kailangan ma-over the hump na namin ’yung mga problema na ’yon.”
Those close losses came despite Pasaol’s all-around brilliance, leading the league after the eliminations after averaging 15.4 points, 7.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.1 steals.
Pasaol became just the eighth Tamaraw to win the league’s top individual honor, following in the footsteps of school legends such as Joselino Roa, Anthony Williams, Glenn Capacio, Johnny Abarrientos, Arwind Santos, RR Garcia, and Terrence Romeo.
However, he also became the first MVP since 2011 to miss the Final Four.
Confidence in what’s ahead
Rather than dwell on the miss, Pasaol expressed confidence in the Tamaraws’ direction, citing FEU’s deep program and incoming talent.
“Alam mo naman ’yung FEU, kung paano ’yung program ng FEU. Sobrang lawak, sobrang bright ng future ng FEU,” the crafty guard said.
“Lalo na maraming mga high school prodigies ngayon papunta sa’min. Tingnan na lang natin next season saan aabutin.”
Pasaol will lead the Tamaraws in Season 89 alongside Kirby Mongcopa, Jedrick Daa, and Mo Konateh.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.