The UE Red Warriors themselves have been left puzzled by their struggles amid Round 2 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament eliminations.
After finishing the first round with a 5-2 record, the UE Red Warriors have been shaky throughout Round 2 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
The Red Warriors on Sunday fell 59-51 to the surging FEU Tamaraws, marking their second-straight loss after the Adamson Soaring Falcons held them to a season-low 39 points last October 30.
UE now falls to a 6-5 slate as of writing and has accumulated a 1-3 record for Round 2 of eliminations. Consequently, everyone on the Recto-based side has been left searching for answers amid this late slump.
“Honestly, I don’t know what’s happening to the team right now. Looking back, going back to the preparation, we had a good preparation against Adamson and FEU. But of course, as a coach, ‘di mo malaman kung ano ‘yung mangyari. We just need to weather the storm and hopefully, by next game we can bounce back,” said head coach Jack Santiago.
Precious Momowei remained as one of UE’s bright spots, nabbing 18 points and 21 rebounds as he played the full 40 minutes against FEU. Rain Maga had a major bounce back, tallying 12 points and 11 rebounds following his two-point effort against the Falcons.
But shooters Wello Lingolingo and Ethan Galang remain limited. Lingolingo notched five points and five rebounds against FEU, while Galang was scoreless as he recovered from an illness he contracted during the long break caused by Typhoon Kristine according to Santiago.
Santiago also believes that pressure is starting to creep in within the team. After all, it’s been 15 years since UE last made the Final Four, and this batch has a clear shot to break that streak this Season 87.
It’s a complete turnaround from Season 86, where they settled with a 4-10 record following key offseason departures at the time.
“Ayun din ‘yung sinasabi ko, baka masyadong nape-pressure ‘yung mga bata because of all the places, social media. Right now, they know that seven wins will make it to the Final Four. So maybe yun ‘yung medyo worried ako kasi baka masyado silang nagiisip na kailangan makuha natin itong seven wins. So instead of playing the usual [gameplan], baka masyadong na-tight,” the longtime Franz Pumaren deputy reflected.
Still, Santiago is keeping the faith, saying, “So ako naman, I’m confident in the boys that we will be in the Final Four.”
Much like his head coach, Nigerian center Precious Momowei remained puzzled about their performance as of late. The big man, though, didn’t mince his words when asked for a post-game assessment.
“We’ve been playing like sh*t lately. I don’t know what the f*ck is wrong with us…Although we are in a good spot right now. But you know? I don’t know what’s wrong with us, why we’ve been playing bad recently…I really don’t know what to say,” he said.
‘We just need to win’
UE will have three more games to resolve their issues for Season 87, which will include a rematch against second-ranked UP, fourth-seeded UST, and the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
“Kami naman, ever since kahit na we finished 5-2 nung first round, we never thought that magbibilang lang kami ng couple of games. Until now, we don’t care kung mag-number 3 or number 4 kami. As long as we just need to win ‘yung mga remaining games namin,” Santiago said.
Like Santiago, Momowei is still keeping a positive outlook. For him, the Red Warriors’ six wins provide enough wiggle room as they try to regain their form late into the season.
The big man is also taking it upon himself to rally his teammates amid this slump as one of their leaders.
“I mean I do that every day, I do that in practice. I want to win, I want to be in the Final Four. I try my best to make them focus.”
Without a doubt, this UE is in a prime spot to continue their breakout UAAP campaign under Jack Santiago. Now, it’s a matter of recomposing themselves as Season 87 approaches the homestretch of eliminations.
Can they rediscover their form on time? We’ll have to wait and see starting this November 9 against the Growling Tigers.
“I think [win] number 7 will be okay…Because if you think of the other teams also, they will fight each other. So somebody will go down,” said Santiago.
Banner image courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.