MANILA, Philippines – The key to Alvin Pasaol’s return to University of the East team next season is team owner Bong Tan.
The high-scoring forward said he will sit down with the management next week about his plans after playing his final game of Season 81 UAAP season last Sunday against National University.
Pasaol finished with 20 points in the Red Warriors’ 71-79 loss to the Bulldogs to emerge as the league’s top scorer with 24.4 points per game.
He has two years of eligibility left, and Pasaol has until December 3 to enlist his name in the PBA Rookie Draft.
“Kapag kinausap ako ng may-ari,” said Pasaol when asked what will convince him to return to the Red Warriors camp.
"By next week, mag-uusap kami ng management. Alam na nila coach Joe (Silva). Ang sabi lang nila think twice,” he added.
UE was on a rebuilding mode this season under rookie coach Joe Silva and finished with 1-13 win-loss mark.
If Pasaol returns, it will be a big boost for the Red Warriors, who will be fielding in a revamped roster led by Senegalese center Adama Diakhite from Diliman College.
UE also has a Fil-Canadian and Fil-Kiwi on its training pool.
But the high-scoring forward is also toying the idea of entering his name in the rookie draft where he could be picked late in the first round.
“Pag-iisipan ko pa, May one week pa naman then ‘yun na siguro,” said Pasaol, undeniably one of the most gifted scorers the league has seen in recent years.