UE Red Warriors want to end rough Season 79 with respect
CONSIDERED to be one of the dark horses entering Season 79 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball, things did not exactly panned out for the University of the East Red Warriors as expected. But the Legarda-based dribblers have come to terms with what has been a difficult campaign for them and are now looking to finish with respect and pride as they move on.
Following their 80-67 win over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Sunday, the Warriors improved to 3-10, a tad higher from the tailending spot they have found themselves in for much of the season.
With a game left in its schedule, UE gets the chance not to finish last in the standings, joining season host University of Santo Tomas (3-11), something they are bent on doing.
“We know that we are already out of the running but we want to end the season with respect from the other teams and that’s what the players showed today,” said UE Coach Derrick Pumaren after their victory that ended a four-game losing skid for them.
“We want to win our last two games, including this one. We want to salvage the last two games and not end the season last in the standings and finish on a winning note,” he added, underscoring the mindset they have as they complete their elimination assignments.
The Warriors admitted that Season 79 has been tough for them and has turned out not the way they envisioned it especially coming off a season that saw them defied expectations collectively.
“All season long, we haven’t been able to show our true potential. But today against UP we did. I think this was the best shooting performance we had in a long while. I’m happy that we played the way we did because it has been tough,” said Mr. Pumaren, whose wards ended up joint fifth place in Season 78 with a 6-8 record, a win out of the Final Four picture.
This year, UE started its campaign with six straight losses, a couple of which it could have won. It won back-to-back midway into the tournament before losing fourth straight prior to its win last Sunday.
“We, as a team, always give our all. But this season it has not been enough so we just have to continue to play and improve as a group,” said young cog Bon-Bon Batiller.
Looking ahead, Mr. Pumaren said the immediate business for them is to win their final game of the season tomorrow against the defending champion Far Eastern University (8-5).
The Warriors, with a victory, can spoil the Tamaraws’ bid to vie for the number two spot and the twiceto-beat advantage that goes with it in the Final Four.
FEU is fighting for no. 2 against Ateneo University (9-4) and Adamson University ( 8- 5) heading into the final day of the eliminations tomorrow. In the event of a three-way tie for the second spot, the quotient system will be in effect with the teams with the higher quotient battling in a one-game playoff.
Safely perched at the top and assured of the number one seed in the playoffs is De La Salle University with a record of 13-1. —