ALVIN Pasaol was present, as younger brother Janrey starred in Sunday’s UAAP Season 88 encounter between Far Eastern University and University of the East.
As Janrey continues to hit his stride, Alvin had nothing but positive words for his beloved brother.
“Unbelievable yung nagawa niya kanina kasi last (time), sinabi ko kailangan mo i-lead yung team para manalo sila,” the older brother said.
“Tutok ako sa career niya ngayon kasi rising star siya ng basketball. So kailangan ko siya i-guide 'di lang sa basketball, pati sa outside.”
Lead is exactly what Janrey did with 17 points, 10 assists, and two steals and teaming up with Jorick Bautista to tow the Tamaraws to a 95-76 rout of the Red Warriors - the team once proudly represented by Alvin.
But why oh why didn't Janrey follow in Alvin's footsteps to the red-and-white side of Recto, in the first place?
“Kasi nung time na yon, nasa Manila ako [at] si Janrey nasa Davao pa. So marami ring teams na kumukuha sa kanya. So pinick lang namin kung anong magandang teams and yung magiging future niya na maganda,” the older Pasaol, who's still waiting to sign on with a new team after the end of his Meralco stint.
And with Janrey showing flashes of brilliance at the point guard spot for FEU-Diliman, the choice was clear.
Janrey’s best path was in Morayta, where the likes of Johnny Abarrientos, Denok Miranda, RR Garcia, Terrence Romeo, RJ Abarrientos, and L-Jay Gonzales once showcased their skills.
“Magaling talaga yung FEU mag-handle ng mga players sa point guard position. So napalagay ako na doon ko pinapunta si Janrey sa FEU kasi doon siya matututukan ng mga coaches," Alvin said.
Green-and-gold over red-and-white
As Janrey marches forward with his breakout season, perhaps even en route to a Mythical Team selection, Alvin could only marvel at his leap from his rookie season.
“Nagulat din ako na ganyan nilalaro niya kasi shaky yung last year niya. Pero nag-advice ako sa kanya na kailangan mo mag-build up for this season. Masaya naman ako dahil ganun yung performance niya ngayon, pero sana hindi lang ngayon na season, sana sa darating pa,” Alvin said of his little brother who nonetheless normed a solid 8.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.2 steals last year.
Even though Janrey’s successful first round closer came at the expense of his alma mater’s, the former Red Warrior was glad to see the Battle of the East is still very much alive, even with seasons like this where both have virtually nothing to lose.
READ: FEU shows no mercy in sending UE to 13th straight loss
As he put it, “Ganun talaga eh. Part talaga ng basketball yon. Mas maganda yung rivalry nila ngayon kasi wala sila masyadong panalo ngayon. Pero all throughout naman sa game ng UE tsaka FEU ngayon, competitive sila.”
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