AMONG the University of the Philippines’ haul of new players, Migs Palanca might be the one with the most to prove.
READ: UP just filled its big void with this 6-7 youngster. Find out who
Once the prized big of National U, the 6-foot-7 forward traded his bright future under the tutelage of coach Jeff Napa for an equally bright future in State U with the guidance of coach Goldwin Monteverde.
And so far, the adjustment has been going great for Palanca, who was the second promising young forward to arrive in Diliman after Veejay Pre.
“Welcoming naman sila, hindi naman nagkaproblema. Medyo ako lang yung nag-aadjust pa sa kanila,” he said.
While fitting in continues to be a challenge, he has found quick comfort, coincidentally, from fellow Bullpups-turned-Fighting Maroons Janjan Felicilda and Harold Alarcon.
As he explained, “Magkakasama kasi kami sa team house, so sila tumayong kuya. Nagga-guide sila sa'kin lalo na sa mga plays kasi alam naman nating bagong sistema (ito para sa'kin).”
Alarcon committed to UP following a second straight UAAP juniors crown with NUNS, while his longtime teammate Felicilda played one season as a Bulldog before transferring to the maroon-and-green side.
Both are now UAAP seniors champions as well.
That's why for Palanca, the driving force behind his own move was to finally tip the championship odds in his favor, as he and his Bullpups teammates settled for back-to-back silver finishes.
“Mas gutom ako,” he said. “Galing ako sa team na laging first runner-up. Sa akin, nakakadagdag ng kumpyansa yun. Gusto ko manalo.”
Going Gold
With Palanca now under Monteverde’s wing, he expressed gratitude for the two-time champion coach's immediate guidance.
“Nag-usap na kami ni coach Gold kung saan ako mas makaka-contribute. Nagfo-focus lang ako sa sarili ko and makahabol sa team,” he said.
But while Monteverde already stands as a father figure, the Agusan native still takes to heart the lessons taught to him by former mentor Kevin De Castro, with whom he still maintains a good relationship.
“Kami ni coach Kevin, ok kami. Nagpasalamat ako sa kanya kasi siya talaga nag-build sakin sa NU,” he said.
“Advice niya lang sa'kin, same Miguel lang. Workhorse, trabahuin halos lahat, underdog mentality, tapos beginners’ mindset lagi,” he added.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
