Despite the uncertainties of college and high school basketball competitions, graduating San Beda High school guard and former Batang Gilas co-captain Migs Pascual is ready for any eventuality and is making sure that he’ll be in great shape once the NCAA competition restarts.
“Ready naman ako kahit anong mangyari kung wala o meron pang juniors basketball. Yun ang pinaghahandaan ko,” Pascual said.
“Nagpi-prepare rin kami. May mga zoom training na rin kami the last three months, preparation na rin. Para sa akin it’s just a matter of mindset kung paano ko I-approach yung game. Kung paano ako magiging accountable sa mga teammates ko, on and off the court. Yun yung biggest challenge para sa akin.”
The Red Cubs are the reigning NCAA juniors champions and Pascual, a point guard and considered as one of the leaders of the teams, is expected to play a major role in the team’s title retention bid.
“As early as Grade Four, God-given yung court vision ko. Habang tumatagal akong naglalaro ng basketball, na-go-groom ko na yung leadership kasi as a point gard kailangan yun. Hindi puwedeng tahimik sa loob ang kailangan as a point guard. Kailangan mong pagalingin ang mga teammates mo, kaya mong i-lead sila on and off the court,” said Pascual.
“Ang plan ko kasi talaga is isasagad yung playing years ko sa juniors. Para sa akin at para sa family ko yun. Kailangan before college, hinog na hinog ka na maglaro.”
Basketball never stopped for Pascual, who continued to work on his individual skills while competitions were idle because of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a mentality he developed during his stint with Batang Gilas where he was also tasked by then-coach Mike Oliver as one of the leaders of the team.
“Natutunan ko sa Batang Gilas, may mga times na nakakapag-extra work kami nina Forthsky (Padrigao), nina RC (Calimag). At the same time, may natututunan sila sa akin, may natututunan rin ako sa kanila. Yung mga coaches doon, sobrang detailed. Kailangan yung small details hindi mo binabalewala, hindi mo tini-take for granted. Yun yung natutunan ko sa Batang Gilas,” said Pascual.
More than trying to lead his team for another title run, Pascual intends to be a little more aggressive on the offensive end and bring back that scorer’s instinct.
“Yung last year hindi ko ma-explain bakit passive ako at hindi masyadong aggressive. Pero OK lang sa akin, natutunan ko naman siya. Ngayong pandemic, pinapanood ko yung mga games ko, yung mga kailangan kong -adjust, defense and offense. Yung mga kailangan kong i-improve na kailangan kong gawin as a point guard. Kailangan maging scorer rin ako. Kailangan ko rin talagang mag-excel pa at maging aggressive pa para sa mga next few years, dadalhin ko rin yan,” said Pascual.