COACH Paulo Hubalde knows University of the East just cannot afford to lose another rising star.
And so, he is doing all he can to keep Toper Lagat invested in the program.
Having played alongside fellow Red Warriors icon James Yap, Hubalde knows a thing or two about a young talent having to bear the weight of being the face of a team.
READ: Hubalde believes UE getting closer and closer to breakthrough win
That is exactly what is happening right now in Recto, with Lagat taking on that responsibility in just his second season and leading the league in scoring through the first round with 20.9 points per game on 44.2-percent shooting.
With former red-and-white standouts Rey Remogat, Gani Stevens, and Rainer Maga now playing for the University of the Philippines, UE has seen promising talents find success elsewhere.
This time, Hubalde hopes his experience with Yap and relationship with Lagat will prove to be the difference.
“He and I have a good relationship ever since. We have a mutual understanding in almost everything,” he said, following the Red Warriors' hardfought 81-91 loss to the Fighting Maroons on Saturday, their 27th in a row
“We're transparent naman. Sabi ko nga sa kanya, it's hard when you're only in your second year and you're already the face of the school or the team. Ang last time na nangyari 'yan, when I was with James, first year pa lang, siya na 'yung mukha agad.
“So I know that, kasi I played with James for four years. And I know how to take care of those certain guys.”
Hubalde stressed that while every player receives equal attention, emerging talents need additional guidance, as they adjust to bigger responsibilities.
“Pantay-pantay naman sila. Pero siyempre, when someone is emerging, you still have to take care of them. So for me, I'll give my best,” he said.
“Like I said, we have a mutual understanding of things moving forward. But for now, we have to enjoy. Let's enjoy Toper Lagat as the scoring machine.”
A different breed
Hubalde also bared that Lagat's scoring instincts were apparent from the start, but his work ethic makes him just as special.
“Lagat will be Lagat. From the day I saw him, I already knew that this is an automatic scorer. For me, I tell him to be himself. I'm a very proud coach kasi he's a hard worker. He's a gym rat actually,” he said.
“Sabi ko sa kanya, nagbubunga lang naman lahat ng tinanim mo, so keep continuing that. Dito lang ako to support him, to show 'yung trust na pinaghirapan niya.”
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