Pogoy, Escoto pay tribute to FEU

(Photo by Jerome Ascano)

FAR Eastern University (FEU) went a perfect 7-of-7 in the 2016 PBA draft in a testament to how the Tamaraws have become one of the best college programs in the country.

Roger Pogoy and Russel Escoto, two of the FEU players picked in the draft, now look back to their humble beginnings with the Tamaraws as they embark on every basketball player’s dream: to play in the PBA.

Pogoy said his father went to the market when he saw in the newspaper that FEU will be holding a tryout in Cebu for its basketball team. Back then, Pogoy was already a star in high school for University of Cebu (UC), but perhaps if not for that trip to the market, his move to FEU would not have been possible.

“’Yung tatay ko, bumili sa palengke tapos nakita niya sa dyaryo na may tryout. Sabi niya sa akin, pumunta daw ako,” Pogoy said.

As it turned out, when he went to the tryout, FEU was already looking for him already. It was then that he realized the work that he put in with UC was already being noticed by scouts in Manila.

“Pagpunta namin dun, tinawag ako ng coach ng FEU. Sabi sa akin, ‘Ikaw ba si Pogoy?’ Sabi niya, okay na, alis ka na ng Manila sa Monday kasi Saturday ‘yung tryout,” said Pogoy.

The rest, as they say, was history. Pogoy went on to play for the Tamaraws where, in his final year, he helped FEU snare the 2015 UAAP crown with his outside shooting and defense.

Now that he is in the PBA, Pogoy said he is looking to bolster his strengths and improve his game.

“Nagpakundisyon ako sa legs ko. Defender ako, malalakas at mabibilis na sa PBA. Kailangan din ‘yun sa shooting ko,” said Pogoy.

Escoto, meanwhile, was already one of the top players of Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga. From there, he was brought by his coach Eric Gascon to DELTA, the top stable of basketball players in the province, where he trained during the summer.

The training in DELTA, which has also produced several PBA players led by Alaska’s Calvin Abueva, was a big boost for Escoto, who was eventually brought to the Tamaraws.

“Sobrang marami akong natutunan dun. Dun nag-start ang career ko. Maganda ang programa,” said Escoto.

The grass wasn’t always green for Escoto, who also sustained an ACL injury that forced him to miss the entire 2014 season. But during the healing process, his confidence never wavered. In fact, it was the injury that allowed him to improve his shooting, one of the 6-foot-6 big man's strongest assets.

“After nung na-ACL ako, nalungkot din ako pero sabi ko sa sarili ko puntahan ko agad ‘yung doctor para maka-recover at mag-start agad ng rehab. Nung nakakatayo na ako, wala akong ginawa kundi mag-shooting. Lalo pa akong nagkaroon ng confidence sa shooting ko kasi doon ako nag-improve,” said Escoto.

His hardwork paid off as he was able to deliver for the Tamaraws in their 2015 title run. His outside shooting also propelled him to greater heights, getting selected by the Gilas cadets because of his versatility.

Recently, Escoto’s dream became a reality when he was picked in the PBA special draft by Mahindra.

“Sobrang saya. Sa dami ng Pinoy na gustong maglaro ng PBA, masaya ako na napili tayo at special draft pa na hindi ka na nagwo-worry,” said Escoto.

The stories of Pogoy and Escoto only prove some more that through the willingness to succeed, determination and hard work, everything is possible.