Red Cubs’ Pascual catches fancy of NLEX coach, players

San Beda Red Cubs’ team captain Migs Pascual didn’t stop from getting better and refused to be slowed down by the COVID-19 pandemic.

While games and scrimmages are still prohibited following the surge of new virus variants in the past months, putting the National Capital Region and nearby areas like Cavite, Laguna and Bulacan under Enhanced Community Quarantine and later on downgraded to Modified ECQ, the former Batang Gilas skipper continued with his individual workouts.

One of the skills he developed was his impressive shooting from the three-point region, but with a twist. Instead of the usual three-point attempt, he shoots his treys via a teardrop.

The teardrop shot is an art developed by several players, such as retired NBA great Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs, former PBA MVP Mark Caguioa and ex-PBA scoring champion Mac Cardona.

Pascual was able to showcase his newfound skill set as he showed it on social media, taking teardrop shots from beyond the arc and making them with consistency. This caught the fancy of NLEX Road Warriors general manager and head coach Yeng Guiao and his new players—rookies Calvin Oftana and David Murrell and veteran swingman Don Trollano.    

A firm believer of consistency, Guiao is a type of coach who lets his players do whatever their skill sets are.

“My philosophy is you can shoot anything in the game as long as you’re practicing it, as long as you’ve developed some degree of proficiency, decent degree of proficiency. Nakikita ko naman naisho-shoot niya and wala nga halos mintis,” said Guiao.  

“If you practiced something and of decent proficiency, OK ‘yun. Sa akin, may standard in taking a three-point shot is about 33-percent (1-of-3) in game situations. That’s your floor. Pinakamababa na ‘yun. You strive and try to get better to make it to 38 to 40 percent. Pero 33, pinakasagad na ‘yan. You have the right to take that open shot. Now, with the skill level of players, the three-point shot is no longer a low-percentage shot. It’s getting closer to 40 to 50 percent for other players. When it’s a skill, it can be developed. It depends on the time, the repetition and the kind of practice you invested to it.”

Even incoming PBA rookies Oftana, Murrell and Trollano, who will be reunited with Guiao at NLEX, were also impressed with the shooting of Pascual.

“Para sa akin, wala namang problema as long as pina-practice mo naman everyday. Pagdating naman sa game, kung kumportable ka naman, why not? Pina-practice mo naman,” said Trollano.

Oftana and Murrell agreed with the observation of their teammate.  

“Oo, surprised ako kasi malayo ‘yun. Shooting a teardrop sa three-point region, mahirap ‘yun. Kailangan talaga ng practice. Pero kung naisu-shoot mo naman, OK lang,” said Oftana, selected third overall by the Road Warriors in this year’s Rookie Draft.

Murrell, a second-round pick from University of the Philippines, was likewise in awe of Pascual’s new weapon.   

“I haven’t seen anything like that. But if he’s consistent at it, why not?” added Murrell.

Pascual has been consistently working out for more than a year now. He has committed to play for the University of the East Warriors in the UAAP in college, but he’s determined to help the Red Cubs in their title drive once the NCAA junior men’s basketball tournament resumes.