PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur - Central Luzon isn't shining as bright as always when it comes to 2026 Palarong Pambansa secondary boys' basketball.
That's no thanks to the darkness brought about by the absence of one Kenji 'Chog' Moral, who made Region III games in the last two years a hot ticket through both his skills and showmanship.
READ: Sauler's wish granted as Chog and Co. commit full-time to Gilas Youth
As Moral committed full-time to Gilas Pilipinas Youth, the Pampanga Delta-backed side found themselves pushed to the limit against upstart Negros Island Region (NIR) on Tuesday at the Datu Lipus Makapandong Governor D.O. Plaza Sports Complex here.
NIR was up by three, 79-76, inside the last four minutes until Central Luzon amped up its defensive intensity and allowed just one more field goal the rest of the way.
Still, at the other end, where was the Moral-less team gonna go?
A 17-year-old, 5-foot-10 guard was the answer. And his name was Migz Lugtu.
"Si Chog po, wala po sa'min, so kailangan ko talaga mag-step up," he told SPIN.ph afterwards. "Sa mga susunod po, kailangan ko pa pong mas mag-take charge."
His inside basket then steal-to-score capped off six unanswered points that, all of a sudden, put Central Luzon ahead by three, 82-79.
Lugtu's defensive stop turned into a fastbreak finish, in particular, sent the jam-packed crowd into a frenzy, as he showed he has a little bit of Moral's spunk in him, flexing in front of the fallen defender who dared get in his way.
Once the final buzzer sounded, Region III improved to 2-0, thus far proving it's still force a reckon with even minus Moral.
Opening eyes
Make no mistake, however, Lugtu doesn't view himself as the new top gun for Central Luzon.
What he sees instead is a young taleng who has much room for improvement, especially if he hopes to have a career like idol Archie Concepcion's.
"Pagbubutihin ko pa po. Kulang pa po ako, malayo pa sa 100-percent," he said. "Lalo sa defense ko po at basketball IQ talaga."
The Converge FiberXer isn't necessarily the usual name mentioned when talking about Kapampangan ballers, what with the likes of Arwind Santos, Calvin Abueva, and Justine Baltazar all options.
What the Apalit native, whose game is actually more reminiscent of former La Salle and UE two-way guard Niel Tolentino, is hoping for, however, is to have the same determination Concepcion displayed from Arellano to the MPBL and now, the PBA.
"Yung galaw po kasi niya, smooth. Ganun din po gusto ko para sa'kin," said Lugtu, who also mentioned Encho Serrano, another proud product of Apalit, as an inspiration.
To reach those great heights, though, the MVP of the Central Luzon Regional Athletics Association knows full well it begins by making a good account of himself in the annual showcase of student-athlete talent.
And what better way to do that than going for gold?
"Palaro muna. Kailangan makuha yung gold," he said.
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