By Ivan Saldajeno
QUEZON CITY--The University of the Philippines' bid to reclaim the UAAP men's basketball title after dropping two straight finals appearances hit an early roadblock as big man Seven Gagate has been ruled out for the upcoming Season 87.
The six-foot-eight forward confirmed the development to Dugout Philippines on Wednesday, detailing what caused a hand fracture that led to his unavailability for the new year.
"Sa practice lang yun three months ago. Noong pag-rebound ko, yung kamay ko, natamaan ni Dikachi [Udodo] nung nag-agawan kami," Gagate said during a special event where the Fighting Maroons renewed their partnership with Robinson's Retail Holdings at the UP Executive House.
Gagate clarified that it was an accident and part of the game.
Luckily for him, the hand injury did not require surgery, and his arm was only placed in a cast for two months.
While he will not be playing this UAAP season, it might take a little while before he can suit up again for UP possibly in future offseason events.
"Cleared for contact [drills] na ako," Gagate said.
The supposedly incoming sophomore was bound for a bigger role with the Maroons after limited minutes during his freshman year.
However, the hand fracture derailed Gagate's hopes.
"Syempre, I'm sad na di ako makalaro, pero it's OK. Kaya naman nila. May bago kaming kuya, so sila na bahala," he further said, pertaining to one-and-done big man Quentin Millora-Brown.
All eyes will be on the 6-foot-10 power forward, who is expected to star for UP in what will be his only year in the Philippine amateur ranks.
"Nakikita ko ang potential niya kasi magaling siyang maglaro," Gagate described Millora-Brown's performances in practice and in preseason matches.
Millora-Brown and Udodo are just two of the bigs to watch out for the Fighting Maroons as even without Gagate, the frontline remains stacked with Sean Alter and Mark Belmonte also expected to step up.
UP, the Season 87 host, will open its campaign right on opening night against Ateneo on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
.jpg)
