UE Red Warriors look to sustain turnaround
WINNERS of three of their last four games in Season 80 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors try to sustain the seeming about-face they are having in their campaign when they joust against the defending champions De La Salle Green Archers at 2 p.m. today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
After starting the season with six straight losses, the Rectobased Warriors (3-7) have been competing far better of late and are actually still in contention for a seat in the Final Four.
One key reason for the improved performance of UE is the play of its “heart and soul” Alvin Pasaol, who incidentally is the reigning UAAP player of the week.
Ever since scoring a careerhigh 49 points for UE against La Salle in the first round, the Davao native has been virtually unstoppable on offense.
In their latest victory over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 7364, last Sunday, Pasaol bucked cramps down the stretch to tally 32 points to go along with 13 rebounds.
He was ably supported Mark Olayon, who had a near tripledouble of 11 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for UE, which is just a rung below of joint fifthplacers UP and the National University Bulldogs, who are both sporting 4-6 records.
Pasaol said after the game that it is not only him that should get credit for UE’s turnaround as everybody in the team is doing their part.
“We’re just sticking to the game plan of coach ( Derrick Pumaren). The rest of the team is delivering especially on defense,” said Pasaol, who beat out La Salle’s Santi Santillan and Ateneo Blue Eagles’ Matt Nieto for the award.
He went on to say that he is looking forward to meeting La Salle anew and that they have to be ready.
“We must continue working hard and not be satisfied with what we have done of late. Our next opponent is La Salle and we have to fight it out against them,” Pasaol said.
FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN
Waiting in the wings for UE is La Salle, which is also on a roll, winning their last three matches, the most recent of which against the Adamson Soaring Falcons last weekend.
Reigning league most valuable player Ben Mbala once again showed the way for the Archers with 15 points and 17 rebounds in the win over Adamson but it was Santillan who proved to be the game-changer.
The former University of the Visayas standout finished with a double- double of 16 points and 10 rebounds to help steady the La Salle boat against Adamson en route to the 80-74 victory.
“Santi really played big for us today. He practically did everything he was asked to do to help us win,” said high- flying Ricci Rivero, who top- scored for La Salle with 17 points.
Also coming up big for La Salle was Kib Montalbo, who had allaround numbers of 10 points, five rebounds, three steals and two dimes.
Meanwhile in the second game at 4 p.m., Adamson (6-4) tries to bounce back from its loss to La Salle last Saturday as they take on University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers (0-10), who are looking to finally win their first game of the season. —