Janrey Pasaol now wants to translate his success to team wins with the FEU Tamaraws after a breakthrough personal campaign as MVP of UAAP Season 88.
Count on reigning UAAP men’s basketball MVP Janrey Pasaol to continue pushing, keeping his eyes on a Final Four breakthrough with the FEU Tamaraws in UAAP Season 89 later this year.
Pasaol, who turned heads with his MVP win in Season 88 despite the Tamaraws missing the semifinals, admitted that it was a great achievement personally, but he now has his sights set on team glory.
Falling just short of making the Final Four in his first two years with FEU, Pasaol is hoping third time’s the charm, especially as head coach Sean Chambers has firmly established his program with the youthful Tamaraws.
“Syempre, unang-una, talagang babawi talaga kami kasi di na namin kailangan umasa pa sa iba next year para makapasok kami sa Final Four. Gusto namin hawak na namin yung future namin para makapasok sa Final Four next year,” Pasaol said in a recent episode of Starting Lineup.
Pasaol had edged out the likes of Mike Phillips and Jake Figueroa in the race for the MVP plum. But even as he had a few weeks to take it all in, Pasaol admitted that he was still in disbelief when he accepted the award last December.
“Nung hinawakan ko yung trophy na yun, parang nanginginig pa ko. Parang, di ko talaga ma-explain kung gaano kasarap yung feeling na ako yung hinirang na MVP,” he said.
Partnership forged in fire
Still, even with Pasaol’s MVP, he won’t be the only player that FEU will be leaning on for UAAP Season 89.
After the exit of former Rookie of the Year Veejay Pre, FEU was able to develop the talents of rookie Kirby Mongcopa, who was able to play a key role in the Tamaraws’ campaign in Season 88.
For Pasaol, it’s a good thing to be able to share the rock and responsibility with the Tamaraws aspiring to be a tougher contender this time around.
Not one to listen to their egos, Pasaol said that his budding tandem with Mongcopa is a well-oiled machine.
“Siya, magaling siya maglaro. Tapos ako, binibigyan ko rin siya ng freedom para maglaro nung ginagawa niya… Ang galing pa niyang pumasa. Yun yung pinakamagaling niyang asset sakanya eh,” Pasaol said.
[RELATED: Janrey Pasaol channels MVP win into unfinished business for FEU in UAAP Season 89]
—
Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.