Too often have the DLSU Green Archers been victims of the magic bunot. A player who normally would have a bite-sized role over the course of a season would suddenly have a big game and spell the difference in the game. Tonino Gonzaga and Anton Asistio are some of the players the Ateneo Blue Eagles have relied on to come up big at opportune times against the Green Archers. 

This time, though, it was Seven Gagate who provided the spark that gave the Blue Eagles a taste of their own medicine. 

Gagate entered with around two minutes left in the first half, with LaSalle unable to get the lead back from Ateneo. The big man’s layup and midrange jumpshot were part of a personal 6-0 run that gave DLSU a 45-43 lead at halftime. The 22-year old never entered the court after that, but his impact was greater than even those that played more than 30 minutes. 

The journey Gagate has been on in college hasn’t been a linear one, as he moved from LaSalle Green Hills to the UP Fighting Maroons. His time with the Maroons was marred by a hand injury and difficulties in finding a consistent spot on UP’s rotation. In the end, Gagate went back home and made his debut with the Green Archers in UAAP Season 89. 

Even in LaSalle, the minutes haven’t come in bunches thus far for Gagate as he is averaging around seven and a half minutes of playing time through four games. However, DLSU has been easing him into a role that has given him opportunities to shine and contribute to the point that it would be hard to keep him off the rotation. 

Part of his role has been replacing the Mike-Phillips-size hole in the frontcourt and he has shown how he can stretch the floor and play some decent defense. However, there are moments where he still gets lost and opponents have taken advantage of these moments. But Gagate has made some headway with each passing game, and the confidence to contribute and make plays was evident against the Blue Eagles. That he has played in all four Green Archer games is a good sign as well, so increasing his minutes is the next item to tick off the list. 

A matchup against the Maroons is looming large, and Gagate can take a page out of his teammate Luis Pablo. Pablo used his first matchup against the Maroons in Season 88 as a springboard for strong play that has carried over to this season and even in international basketball. Big scoring nights aren’t needed; making the right plays and doing damage when it counts matter more. 

Then again, there are still more than a handful of games left for Seven Gagate to further leave an impression on the DLSU Green Archers and the UAAP. Not everyone may notice his contributions as it technically felt like he was in the game for a moment. But the Green Archers coaching staff know the work Gagate has put in and the results, and the victories that come with them, speak for themselves.