Emman Tagle went from one school to another, hoping to land a roster in any school that would allow him to showcase his talents in the big league — only San Beda University gave him that opportunity.
Now, he's out to repay that trust big time as he makes the most of his final playing year in the NCAA.
Tagle spent his high school days overseas after his mother, who was working with the Department of Foreign Affairs, was assigned in the United States where they would stay from 2011 to 2017.
They then came back home to the Philippines and having no immediate connections with teams, Tagle spent a year with no formal team before he eventually suited up for LPU Batangas from 2018 to 2019.
"Galing ako sa LPU Batangas, naglaro na ako sa UCBL. Parang ‘di naman nila ako kinuha no’n so nag-tryout ako sa San Beda and nagustuhan naman ni Coach Boyet [Fernandez] ‘yung ginawa ko so nabigyan ako ng scholarship," Tagle told GMA News Online.
The 25-year-old said he did not want to settle then and eyed playing in Manila. However, it wasn't an easy road for the 6-foot playmaker.
"Sabi ko gusto ko mag-try sa NCAA or UAAP. Hindi ko nga in-expect na San Beda eh kasi nag-tryout din ako before sa EAC actually, before ako mag-try out sa San Beda, kaya lang hindi ako pinansin," Tagle shared after igniting for 20 points against the Generals.
Before landing a spot with the Mendiola crew in 2019, Tagle first tried his luck in UST then in San Beda's rival Colegio de San Juan de Letran, where he would train for one month under then head coach Jeff Napa. Both schools did not give him the spot.
He also tried out for Centro Escolar University (CEU), but it did not materialize as well after its former coach Yong Garcia parted ways with the squad. He also almost played for De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, which already awarded him with a scholarship but for some reason, it didn't take place as well.
As he suddenly found himself in the Red Lions' den, Tagle still had to work his way up even after joining the Red Lions.
He was not lined up in Season 95 where San Beda still had the likes of Evan Nelle, James Kwekuteye, and Calvin Oftana. In Season 97, he was on the reserve list alongside Jacob Cortez, but it was only the latter that was given the playing time.
Finally, he made his official NCAA debut in Season 98 before helping the Red Lions cop the championship in Season 99.
"Mahirap talaga makahanap no’n lalo kung wala kang connection so sabi ko nawawalan na ako ng pag-asa," Tagle said.
"Thankful din ako sa mga nangyari kasi makapanalo ng championship, ‘yun naman talaga ang goal mo sa college eh. Pero sabi ko kaya ko naman sa Manila and ayun, sinwerte. Last year ko na ngayon sa San Beda, ang bilis."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
