Proving themselves once again, the University of the East entered the second round of the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament gallantly after scoring back-to-back wins at the expense of National University, 90-77, Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With the win, UE lifted to a 2-6 record, while NU fell to 3-5.
“We thought about it the whole week that if we want to make a run, we have to start the second round on a winning note,” said UE coach Derrick Pumaren. “It will be tighter and tighter, because there’s no third round.”
UE took control of the game, but behind the combined efforts of Issa Gaye and Jjay Alejandro, the Bulldogs were able to cut the lead to just three, 59-62, to end the third frame.
However, with the efforts of the Red Warriors second group boosted the team to extend their lead after an 18-9 run.
Mark Olayon led UE take as much as a 16-point lead, 90-74, after an unsportsmanlike foul was called on Gaye and Olayon converted a freebie and a layup.
Olayon topped the Red Warriors with 17 points, six rebounds and eight assists, while Wil Bartolome and Mark Maloles added 14 and 13 points, respectively in the win.
Nick Abanto also chipped in a double-double 13 points and 11 rebounds for UE.
“I’m proud of the second group, because they gave Alvin (Pasaol) the needed rest,” added Pumaren.
Pasaol, who scored 32 and 49 points in the previous games, was limited with 11 points and 10 rebounds in 19 minutes of play after he got fouled out late in the third quarter.
On the other hand, Gaye led NU with his own double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds, while Alejandro added an almost-triple double record 16 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists in the losing effort.
