The UP Fighting Maroons’ prized recruit Miguel Palanca has slowly been making the transition from high school life to college life, both on and off the court.
When the NU Bullpups’ star center Miguel Palanca had decommitted from the school’s senior team to transfer to the University of the Philippines, it was huge news in UAAP circles.
And with good reason. The six-foot-seven Palanca was a much sought-after recruit coming out of NU-Nazareth School, for whom he averaged around nine points and seven rebounds in UAAP Season 87 while leading the Bullpups to a runner-up finish.
Now, Miguel Palanca is set to debut at the seniors level for the defending men’s basketball champions when Season 88 unfurls next weekend.
But before getting a taste of college basketball action, Miguel has been adjusting to college life in Diliman. He admits he was initially overwhelmed by the sheer size of the campus.
“Yung campus napakalaki,” Palanca told The GAME Magazine in an exclusive interview during the formal contract signing between the UPMBT, Nowhere to Go But UP Foundation and the team’s newest sponsor, Peerless Products Manufacturing Corporation through Champion Detergent.
“Akala ko napaka-challenging or mahirap, pero ngayon nag-i-enjoy naman ako,” he said. “Palipat-lipat ng building, kasi sa NU hindi. One building lang, homeroom lang tapos teachers pupunta. Dito, hindi.
“Challenge din kasi yun nga, time management. Umaga hanggang hapon tapos practice hanggang gabi. Nag-a-adjust pa rin ako, pero okay naman.”
Palanca has also discovered the popular food spots on campus.
“Nomu, Snack Shack, Area 2,” he said with a smile. “Tumatambay naman ako doon.”
Aside from the adjustment on campus, Palanca is also preparing for a major adjustment on the court.
“Different from high school. Sa juniors, main man talaga tayo dun. Going to college, expectation ko lang as an individual, first and foremost, lalaro talaga ako sa defense. Help the team kung anuman kaya kong gawin. Do my best every game.
“Team-wise, medyo aiming back-to-back. Ang journey namin dito, hindi yan madali. Playing 14 games tapos playoffs and eventually finals. Challenging yan pero excited kami to face challenges na naman.”
The adjustment period has been made easier, though, by the presence of fellow NUNS alumni Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea, Reyland Torres, and Janjan Felicilda – collectively known as the Maroon 5.
“Mabilis lang kasi may mutual connection kami kahit di kami nag-abot sa NU. Under kami ng ibang coaching staff, tinutulungan nila ako as a rookie na maka-fit in sa system.
“Hanggang ngayon naman, adjusting pa ako. Every practice, pinupukpok nila ako, tinutulungan nila ng tamang gawin. In-introduce ng maayos sa culture.”
Palanca also benefited from the team’s annual trip to Serbia, where they underwent a rigorous training camp.
“Ang dami kong natutunan doon, team wise. Anong ugali ng mga teammates ko, ano yung system, ano yung culture nila. Ang ginawa ko lang doon, absorb and be a sponge sa anumang kaya kong kunin and takeaways for the season.”
And as the Fighting Maroons embark on their quest to win the first back-to-back UAAP men’s basketball crowns in school history, Miguel Palanca gladly welcomes the challenge.
“I know pressure, diyan lang yan. I’ll embrace it, tapos gawin ko itong learning season ko. I’m gonna do my best. Hindi lang ako magpa-pressure kasi nagkapangalan sa high school, iba naman sa college. Yan ang pinapaalala ni Coach (Goldwin Monteverde) sa akin.
“Maglaro within the system, pero huwag kalimutan kung sino ako.”
Banner images from Sid Ventura