Seven Gagate, out of the UP roster for Season 87

Photo source: FIBA

Incoming University of the Philippines sophomore big man Seven Gagate will not be lined up in the Fighting Maroons’ roster as he continues to recover from a fractured hand injury he sustained during the offseason, assistant coach Christian Luanzon confirmed.

“Yes. That happened during the summer. Unfortunately, he fractured his hand and even with the diagnosis at that time, long-term na ang sabi ng doctor,” the veteran assistant shared during the season-opening press conference on Wednesday, September 4.

“We were still hoping makabalik siya for the season, pero kinapos ung pag-heal,” he added.

After the contract signing event between the UP Fighting Maroons and PalawanPay on September 3, Gagate has also confirmed this.

“Unfortunately, hindi pa rin ako makakalaro. I’m still injured,” he said. Seven also shared that it’s still indefinite when he’ll be playing again, “I don’t know [when I’ll play again], kasi kaka-clear lang sa’kin last week eh, so hindi rin ako nakapag-prepare ng maayos for this season.”

Despite these, Gagate remains positive and all smiles, saying he is happy and excited that the UAAP Season is nearing. 

He will have to wait another year before playing in the UAAP seniors’ division again. He played sparingly as a rookie in 2023, but was poised for a bigger role this season.

Gagate was named to the Mythical 5 of the NCAA high school season in early 2023. He was part of the major recruitment haul from La Salle Greenhills which also included Josh Coronel and Luis Pablo.

Coronel is currently sitting out another season due to a torn ACL injury while Pablo is serving residency after moving to DLSU.