One of the reasons why former Holy Cross of Davao College Crusader player Alvin Pasaol has made it to big in the ongoing UAAP 80 in Metro Manila is his hardwork.
The main man of the University of East Warriors basketball team said he played hard in Davao City not only to hone his skills but earn money for his family.
Pasaol it was the former import of UE who recruited him to play in Metro Manila after he saw him play in a commerical league in Davao City.
“Yung import namin sa commercial league sa Davao, si Charles Mammie. Kinontact niya si manong at sinabi na parang, ‘Manong, may bata rito, ganito, ganyan. Baka gusto mong i-try para sa UE,’” he recalled.
Manong is Derrick Pumaren, the current head coach of the Warriors.
Mammie once played under Pumaren for the Red Warriors.
Asked what he thinks the Sierra Leone native saw in him then, Pasaol answered, “Siguro, the way lang ako maglaro. Kung ano yung laro ko rito, ganun din kasi laro ko doon.”
And so, manong heeded the call of Mammie and flew to Davao.
Still, that personal appearance was no guarantee for a commitment as many others were also eyeing the now 22-year-old. “Marami akong option nun, ‘di lang si manong,” he shared, before saying that Arellano University and Colegio de San Juan de Letran, among others, also expressed interest in him before.
UE’s trump card, however, was the very man who flew all the way to Francis Bangoy International Airport. “Na-impress ako agad kay manong kasi siyempre, sikat na coach. Tapos yung mga teams niya dati, napanood din ng tatay ko,” the prized prospect said.
Even then, Pumaren knew the best way to get to Pasaol. “Pagpunta niya ng Davao, nag-eat all you can kami,” the latter said through chuckles.
That particular meal could have very well been a celebratory dinner for a youngster who worked and worked and worked before the right opportunity finally came along.
Pasaol is one of the top performers in the UAAP basketball season this year and if continues to improve a career in the pros is very possible.
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