BY John Miles Arcenal
FOR a while, Migs Palanca continued to don the blue-and-gold of National U before ultimately deciding to trade that in for maroon-and-green.
Now in UAAP Season 88, the promising young big is looking forward to continuing to represent the University of the Philippines, as he faces off with his old alma mater for the first time.
“Motivation ko lang matapatan ko ‘yung mga taong naging kakampi ko, yung mga kuya ko, yung mga idol ko,” Palanca shared.
“Gusto ko lang ma-feel yung feeling na kung paano sila maging kalaban.”
The 6-foot-7 forward spent his high school years at NU-Nazareth School, where he got to train with Bulldogs 'OGs' Jake Figueroa, Jolo Manansala, and Steve Nash Enriquez.
Those battles on the same practice court helped him level up his game, which he has brought over to Diliman.
“Wala akong bad blood sa NU,” he clarified. “Excited lang ako makipag-head-to-head sa kanila nang walang bad blood. Maglalaro lang ng basketball at i-extend yung streak.”
While Palanca admits he’s familiar with NU’s system, the Agusan Del Norte native knows things have already changed since he last trained at Jhocson. Still, he plans to use that knowledge as an edge.
As he put it, “Alam ko sistema nila, pero four months na akong hindi nakasama sa kanila, so for sure may nababago. Pero gagamitin ko lang siya as pointers for me kasi alam ko kung paano sila maglaro.”
Palanca's place in Goldwin Monteverde's system
Beyond the emotional reunion, Palanca also understands the responsibility that comes with his role in the Fighting Maroons rotation - especially in guarding foreign student-athletes (FSA).
Earlier this season, he already showed his capability, matching up with the likes of Adamson’s OJ Ojarikre, UE’s Precious Momowei, and former frontcourt partner Collins Akowe, now playing for University of Santo Tomas.
“Sanay ako kay Collins sa training. Alam ko kung paano bantayan sila, and for me siya pinakamatigas na FSA dito,” Palanca said ahead of the State U bigs' face-off with Omar John, who actually bested Akowe the last time around.
“Kaya kahit sino pa ang makaharap, lagi akong handa.”
As State U looks to continue its rise after a rocky start, Palanca is set to provide stability in the paint, even in an emotional matchup against the school and squad he once played for.
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.
