Rainer Maga will have big shoes to fill, but he's ready to take on the challenge for the hungry and determined UE Red Warriors in UAAP Season 87.
Despite the departure of superstar guard Rey Remogat, the UE Red Warriors have continued to find ways to succeed in UAAP Season 87.
A huge part of their success, aside from their usual stars in Precious Momowei and Wello Lingolingo, has been fiery guard Rainer Maga.
In UE’s October 2 win over the Ateneo Blue Eagles, Maga came up big with back-to-back triples—the first tied the game at 54-all while the second gave the Red Warriors the lead.
The victory was the first for UE over Ateneo since November 2015.
After Remogat's departure, Maga has taken it upon himself to step up, motivated by both his teammate's trust and the coaching staff's guidance.
“Nung pag-alis ni Rey, talagang kinakusap niya ako na talagang gawin ko ‘yung best ko lagi. Malaki rin ‘yung tiwala niya sa akin dahil parang chini-cheer niya talaga ako before the season na alam kong kaya-kaya kong gawin ‘yung role niya,” Maga told reporters.
“Before [the] season lang, lagi rin kaming nag-usap ni Coach Jack after every practice na talagang ipu-push niya ako pati si Wello na mag-lead sa loob ng court,” he added.
Needing to find another go-to scorer for the team, coach Jack Santiago entrusted Maga and Lingolingo to deliver for the Red Warriors—and so far, they have done so brilliantly.
“Talagang namo-motivate rin kami ni Wello kasi head coach na ‘yung nagbibigay sa amin ng go signal na gawin 'yung best namin sa loob kahit na anong mangyari. Talagang puso ‘yung labanan,” said Maga.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Jack Santiago glad to see bench players fill gap as UE bucks injury in Ateneo win]
Of course, all of the work comes during practice and Maga’s diligence has not gone unnoticed, earning him valuable playing time for a determined UE squad.
“Kumbaga, kaya ko rin nakukuha ‘yung [mga] minuto, gawa lang sa ensayo. Talagang pinu-push ko 'yung sarili ko na gawin 'yung best ko para makatulong din sa teammates,” he shared.
As the Red Warriors sit with a 4-2 record for solo third in the standings, Maga is excited about the possibility of ending their 15-year Final Four drought in Season 87.
“Grabe, sobrang saya. Hindi ko ma-explain ‘yung nararamdaman ko kasi lahat kami umangat na at nagsa-start na rin kaming ma-recognize ng ibang teams,” said Maga.
[ALSO READ: UE Red Warriors strengthen Final Four hopes as wins slowly pile up in Season 87]
UE will look to end the first round on a high when it faces the Adamson Soaring Falcons on Sunday, October 6, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.