THAT ECJ Perpetual Trophy remains within reach for the University of the Philippines - with much thanks to new lead guard Rey Remogat.
After the Fighting Maroons battled back from a disadvantage of as much as 15 late in the first half, it was Remogat's back-to-back threes that spelled the difference against erstwhile undefeated modern-day rival La Salle.
READ: Remogat rallies UP past La Salle, into third straight Filoil finals
The first of his game-changing makes was launched over a challenging Mike Phillips, while his second was a dagger straight to the heart of the Green Archers and Jacob Cortez, whose arms were all the way stretched in playing defense.
Remogat, who was 1-for-11 from the field prior to those treys, finished with 14 points, two rebounds, and a perfect five-for-five from the charity stripe.
Even with the cold spell for most of the game, the 5-foot-10 guard kept calm and collected, as State U kept coming at La Salle.
“Mindset ko kasi, kahit sablay, next play na agad. Kumbaga kung 'di ako titira sa next play, kung magpapadala ako sa mga sablay ko, hindi ko alam, yung next na tira ko pala papasok,” he told SPIN.ph after saving the day.
“Na-grab ko lang yung chance na ‘yun para alamin, and nagkataon naman na pumasok.”
UP fights with you, Rey
It also didn't hurt that all of the maroon-and-green had full faith in Remogat through his early struggles.
"Gusto ko lang ibalik yung tiwala na binigay ng coaches and teammates ko sa'kin. 'Di maganda yung first half ko, pero sinasabi lang nila lagi sa'kin, itira mo lang yung tira mo," he said.
“Kasi kahit hindi clutch or something, basta may laro, meron akong kumpiyansa. Grateful and thankful lang ako na nangyari yung ganon.”
With that, the streaky shooter and UP are one win away from the ECJ Perpetual Trophy, awarded to the team that will win three championships in a row.
And on July 27 against scrappy National U, expect Remogat to keep coming - wherever his shooting may be at any point in time.
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