Maroons happy with new recruit

University of the Philippines is glad to land playmaker Rey Remogat for Season 88 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men's basketball tournament.

UP Office of Sports Affairs and Development director Bo Perasol said Remogat's experience will be a major boost to their bid of winning the trophy they last raised in Season 84 two years ago.

The 5-foot-10 Remogat has what it takes to lead the Fighting Maroons when court general JD Cagulangan graduates after Season 87.

Last year, he led the league in assists with 7.9 per game while posting an impressive 16.5 points and 6.4 rebounds to serve as the main man of University of the East.

The Red Warriors, however, failed to advance to the Final Four after collapsing in the crucial stretch of the eliminations.

Remogat's transfer came at the heels of the Fighting Maroons' botched attempt to land Jared Bahay — the Cebuano hotshot regarded as the hottest recruit for Season 88.

A few months after Bahay signified his commitment to join the Fighting Maroons, he suddenly had a change of heart and decided to join Ateneo de Manila University — a school that is affiliated with his high school alma mater in Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu.

Perasol blamed Bahay's flip-flop to "outside forces," especially after Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo were spotted at the sidelines during the Magis Eagles' defense of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. title last March.

Prior to Bahay, the Blue Eagles also recruited his former teammates in Raffy Celiz and Michael Asoro, making him instantly at home at Ateneo.

Perasol said they may not have Bahay but they are already happy to land Remogat.

"Well, he's more experienced," Perasol said.

In a previous statement, UP coach Goldwin Monteverde said with a heady playmaker like Remogat in their roster, their backcourt rotation of the future is already secured.

"We love the current guards that we have but, of course, we're excited to have a player like Noy," said Monteverde, who will have a high-powered backcourt rotation of Remogat, Janjan Felicilda, Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, Chico Briones, and Terrence Fortea in Season 88.

"His arrival is such a major boost to our future."