Coming in as the underdogs, the UE Red Warriors beat the DLSU in the most convincing fashion early in UAAP Season 87.
Three games in, and the UE Red Warriors have aced a massive test in none other than the reigning UAAP champions La Salle Green Archers.
It was a highly convincing victory for the Red Warriors, who were fresh off a cardiac finish against the upstart FEU Tamaraws. Just like that, the Recto side improved to a 2-2 record, placing them in fourth as the first round of UAAP Season 87 action winds down.
Debutant John Abate finally broke out with 20 points, followed by Wello Lingolingo with 18. Foreign student-athlete Precious Momowei also poured in 12 rebounds despite his five-point outing.
“Teamwork, number one. And then the gameplan, we did not run away from the gameplan. I told the boys that La Salle is a very strong team, we will make our run, they will make our run. We just need to weather the storm and the boys responded well, they accepted the challenge,” UE head coach Jack Santiago told The GAME after the 75-71 victory.
A huge first quarter was crucial for UE, who outscored La Salle 28-11 after the first 10 minutes. It’s even sweeter, considering how Santiago has always urged his wards to start strong. At the same time, the Red Warriors have started flat in their first two contests against UST and UE.
Yet when La Salle came, they finally responded to their coach’s philosophy.
“Yun lagi ‘yung pini-preach ko sa mga bata. We just have to have a good start. If you recalled the two-game setback namin, we came out very flat, and we cannot afford to have that start with La Salle,” he explained.
Though it was far from an easy contest, with La Salle keeping themselves close. They were quick to cut down the 28-11 lead to four as they headed into halftime outscoring UE 27-14.
Even if UE managed to pull away late, the Archers embarked on a 12-2 run that set up the cardiac finish with 28.4 seconds left in regulation. Fortunately, reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao missed his game-tying free throws despite a late Ethan Galang foul.
And as John Abate iced the game, it was over. The UE Red Warriors had taken down the defending champions just four games into Season 87.
“We had a serious talk nung halftime because from 17, na-cut down into four. I told the boys that this batch is capable of winning games and beating the number one team. In-emphasize ko lang sa kanila na kaya nila, na kaya nilang magtrabaho even if there’s a star-studded team like La Salle,” Santiago told reporters.
‘Alam nila na kaya na nila’
There will be tons of positives to build on heading into the NU contest, starting their 12 out of 30 shooting from downtown. Early on, the countless hours dedicated to the three-point shooting began to pay off for the fiery Red Warriors.
Lingolingo fired six triples for UE, followed by Abate’s efficient three out of three clip.
Momowei, Santiago said, also benefits whenever UE’s gunners are on point.
“Well, talagang given ‘yun na Precious will be…talagang dodoblehin siya. That’s why we need to improve our outside shooting. And in today’s game, I think we had a good percentage kaya talagang nagkaroon ng opening sa loob para kay Precious,” said Santiago.
Defense against reigning MVP Quiambao was solid, who finished with 17 points on 6 out of 17 shooting, along with nine rebounds and five assists. But numbers aside, it wasn’t difficult to notice the star forward being limited for the night.
And it was all thanks to six-foot-one Abate, who was primarily Quiambao’s designated defender in the upset.
“Well, sinabi lang namin na we need to play one-on-one defense. The help will be there…but we [didn’t] rely on the help. And actually, we started playing good defense last game namin, and na-maintain lang namin,” Santiago said of their overall defense.
Up next for the UE Red Warriors will be Season 86 quarterfinalists NU, followed by the young but scrappy Ateneo, and the Adamson Soaring Falcons. Now, they will close out the first round knowing they can pull through after all.
“Kanina, before the game, I gave them the scenario. That we just need to win this game…aside from getting back sa setback namin sa UST, the standing right now is…we are on the number four slot ngayon sa standing. So it’s a very good position for us,” Santiago said.
“I would say, ‘yung batch ngayon…eto kasi ‘yung lahat ako na nag-recruit nito. ‘Yung lahat ng naabutan ko [noon], nagsi-graduate na. So sabi ko nga sa kanila, this batch, or this lineup, kami ‘yung pupwede, or capable na maka-match up doon sa ibang teams. And I think the boys responded well. They accept the challenge, and at least alam na nila na kaya na nila maglaro.”
Banner image courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.