Clint Escamis and Harvey Pagsanjan got to reunite on the same court — only this time as foes.
The two guards previously shared the court when they suited up for University of the East back in UAAP Season 84, a run that saw Escamis, Pagsanjan, and the rest of the Red Warriors wind up with a gloomy 0-14 card.
After that, Escamis decided to go back home to Mapua University, while Pagsanjan followed suit a year after, transferring to Emilio Aguinaldo College as both of them reunited with their high school coaches.
On Wednesday, the two met anew on the collegiate level as they now anchor their respective clubs.
"Sobrang sarap sa feeling na naglalaro kami ngayon kasi nu’ng nasa UE kami nagsa-struggle kaming dalawa and hindi pa namin kilala ‘yung mga sarili namin," Pagsanjan said.
"Ngayon napunta siya sa dati niyang coach, ako rin napunta sa dati kong coach sa high school so ‘pag naguusap kaming dalawa, sobrang sarap sa feeling na nagagawa mo ‘yung gusto mo."
From their winless campaign in UE, Escamis and Pagsanjan now serve as cornerstones for the Cardinals and the Generals, respectively, and the two are just glad that they secured a career revival in the NCAA.
"Actually nag-click kami ni Harvey noon pa, on and off the court. Siyempre, may ibang factors lang sa UAAP with foreign imports," Escamis added.
"Pero now sobrang happy ako para sa kaniya and I wish him all the best. Mag-message ako mamaya sa kaniya na nascore-an ko siya."
But their first meeting went the way of Escamis after the Cardinals escaped with a 69-66 win, putting them in the win column after opening the season with a heartbreaking 78-65 loss to Benilde last Saturday.
While they are now on the opposite sides of the court, Escamis and Pagsanjan will always see each other as brothers.
"Maraming trashtalk pero inside the court lang ‘yun kasi outside naman, sobrang kapatid ko ‘yun si Clint," said Pagsanjan, who was UE's top scorer in Season 84 with 13.43 points.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
