JANREY PASAOL is already one of the most decorated guards in the UAAP today, but he's taking his game to a whole new level this Season 89.
That's brazen considering that he's already won an MVP award and an inclusion in the Mythical Team, but for Pasaol — it goes far bigger than accolades and trophies.
It's about being the league's best orchestrator. And now just might be the perfect time for him to do so given his personnel.
"Kasi, nandyan si Doy [Bautista], nandyan si Kirby na asa MVP [race], nandyan si Mo [Konateh] na pinaka magaling na import ngayong taon. Wag ko na ipilit yung sarili kong umiskor pa, kasi nag-aagawan na kami dun, diba?" he told spin.ph.
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“Sobrang laking ginhawa para sa akin. Kasi alam kong yung tendencies ng team. So taga-penetrate ko, pag may gusto kong gawin nandiyan sila lagi, may open na teammates. So, wala na, masaya na yung buhay ko.”
As the league enters its homestretch, Pasaol still leads the league in assists with 50, narrowly edging out NU's Reinhard Jumamoy at 47 and 39 from La Salle's Jacob Cortez while averaging 5.5 dimes a game.
While his numbers have taken a dip compared to his sophomore year, the 23-year-old is all for it if it meant unlocking the team’s higher potential — and giving the Tamaraws better chances of winning it all.
“Para sa akin kasi nung dumating yung mga rookie namin, parang sobrang na-lessen na yung pagiging ball-dominant ko. Kasi nga, syempre, sobrang talented din yung mga rookies namin. So, parang gusto ko ngayong season kasi yung mindset ko is paano papagalingin pa yung team," he shared.
“Pagka next year siguro mag-aapply na ako sa convenience store, magiging guwardya nalang. May 7-Eleven naman doon sa tapat ng FEU. Doon na lang ako para mas malapit.”
PASA-ALL
As Pasaol solidifies himself as a top table-setter in the UAAP, so does his distinction from older brother Alvin, who was one of the most potent scorers when he was in UE.
And as much as he hears the chatter about emulating his kuya and returning to his usual heroics that made him become the first MVP guard since Kiefer Ravena a decade ago, he’d rather be a conduit to the best team in the league instead.
“Wala na, hindi ko na hinahanap yun,” he declared. “Kung ano na lang yung tirang mas mabuti sakin at mas simple yun na lang yung ite-take kong tira.”
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