LSGH's runner-up finish fuels Pablo, Gagate's desire to win crown for UP

After falling to the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the NCAA Season 98 juniors basketball finals, La Salle Green Hills' Luis Pablo and Seven Gagate are hungry for more as they take their talents to University of the Philippines.

The twin towers of Mandaluyong will head to Diliman for their collegiate stint and will be eligible to play for Season 86.

"'Yun nga po, ngayon mas determinado kami," said NCAA Season 98 juniors basketball MVP Pablo in a virtual press conference on Tuesday. "Talagang sobrang gutom po kami manalo kasi ang dami po namin nakitang weaknesses nung finals. Talagang sobrang ganado po kami mag-improve and manalo this coming season."

(Now we are more determined. We really are hungry to win because we saw a lot of weaknesses during the finals. We're determined to improve and win this coming season.)

Gagate echoed Pablo, adding that what they saw in the Finals were what they needed to improve in the future.

"Sa season ko po, marami po akong natutunan like weaknesses ko po. Excited din po talaga ako mag-training para 'yung weaknesses, ma-strengthen. Gusto ko rin po maging magaling overall sa lahat," said Gagate.

(During the season, I learned a lot, such as my weaknesses. I am excited to train so I could improve on my weaknesses and strengthen them. I want to improve overall.)

For Pablo, another lesson he learned in his recently concluded NCAA stint was adapting one's mindset to win.

"Pinaka parang natutunan ko po sa NC is parang pagdating po talaga sa dulo, kapag po talaga gusto mong manalo, dapat po is laging ma-adapt 'yung mindset na talagang mas dapat mas gustuhin mong manalo and dapat willing kang gawin kahit ano para manalo at makatulong sa team. Kahit ano mang bagay yon, offensively, defensively, 'yun dapat talaga mindset," he said.

(What I really learned in the NCAA was when in the finals, your mindset should really be to win. One should adapt to it, and should be willing to do anything either offensively or defensively.)

Despite the finals loss, Pablo won the MVP plum and was part of the Mythical Team, while Gagate also made it to the top six and was named Most Improved Player in the recently concluded juniors basketball season.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News