Tell 'em: Rising stars on being fueled to step up in UAAP Season 86

Rookie season is over for these players. They're not blue-chip newcomers anymore. No excuses for jitters. No excuses for getting to know the team better. It's about improving themselves and shaking off the slumps.

 One Sports spoke to four rising stars about stepping up in Season 86 of UAAP men's basketball.

 Steve Nash Enriquez - Guard, NU Bulldogs: "As isa sa mga leader sa team, may boses na ko, kailangan ko na ma-lead 'yung team ko. Pangatlong taon ko na. Crucial 'yung role ko sa team. Nili-lead ko 'yung mga bata, kailangan namin maging mas matatag. Kasi last season, first Final Four appearance since ilang years. 'Yung goal namin, gusto naming makamit kung ano 'yung nakamit ng iba."

 "Dapat lang magtrabaho, wala kang makakamit kung wala kang pagtatrabahuhan. Day in, day out, alam ko naman na nagtrabaho 'yung team. It's a matter of kung paano kami mag-a-adjust ngayong season. Gusto namin makuha 'yung championship. It takes time and paghihirap before makamit 'yun."

 Nic Cabañero - Guard, UST Growling Tigers: "'Yung leadership ko, dapat intact 'yun. Dapat 'di ako mag-stop to motivate my teammates. Bilang co-captain din, kailangan ko tulungan si Paul (Manalang) para on one page kami. 'Yung role ko ngayon is not the role I had during my first year. There's pressure, but I'm excited to have it naman. I'm willing to acpept that role."

 "'Yung season namin last year from eighth place, 'di na namin ima-mind. It's better to move forward and be better for this season."

Kevin Quiambao - Forward, De La Salle Green Archers: "Kailangan ko lang maging mas healthy this season. 'Yung latter part last season nawala ako due to COVID. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, 'di na puwede mangyari ulit sa'kin 'yun. Inalagaan ko sarili ko, 'yung katawan ko."

"Kailangan ko lang maging kalmado. Last season medyo nae-excite ako every game kasi rookie year. Blessed ako, nakuha ko 'yung Rooke of the Year, pero this time bigger goal 'yung gusto namin. Take one game at a time, hopefully makapasok kami ng Final Four, hopefully (makuha) 'yung championship."

Rey Remogat - Guard, UE Red Warriors: "Nararamdaman ko may halong pressure pero 'yung mindset ko is always ready lang. Iniisip ko palagi na pare-pareho lang kami. Walang advantage, walang disadvantage, lalaban at lalaban kami. May pressure siya pero lahat naman ng pressure at kaba na nararamdaman ko, pinapasa-Diyos ko palagi. Parang mas pinapatatag 'yung faith ko kay Lord, si Lord na bahala magpawala ng pressure."

"Mas tumaas 'yung tiwala sakin ni coach (Jack Santiago) na maging go-to guy ako. May scenario sa training, nag-miss ako tapos second possession namin, open pull-up (jump shot) ako, pinasa ko pa rin. So tinigil 'yung training. Pinalapit ako kay coach, (sabi niya), 'Bakit 'di mo tinira? Kahit sumablay ka, itira mo pa rin. Lisensyado ka tumira rito.' Sobrang free pala ako na gumawa ng gusto kong gawin, basta stick pa rin sa system."

RELATED STORY: Time to shine: 5 potential breakout players in UAAP Season 86

Watch UAAP Season 86 every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday on One Sports, the UAAP Varsity Channel, and the Pilipinas Live app.

(With reports from Julio Sampedro, One Sports Digital)

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