UST COLLAPSES UNDER UE
By Maxine Louise Lagman
8 October 2016
THE UST Growling Tigers bled once more after losing for the third consecutive match, and their first in the second round of the UAAP Men’s Basketball tournament against UE Red Warriors, 71-61 on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
UE retaliated after a one-point deficit against UST during the first round of the season. The Red Warriors displayed their thirst for another win and left UST behind in the first half, 41-27, as Edson Batiller led the Warriors.
“Well, that’s the thing. As I told the boys, we jump on to them right away. Because of our win against Adamson, our morale was high and so we took advantage of that,” said UE Coach Derrick Pumaren.
Alvin Pasaol exploded a three opening the third period, and with the team’s collective effort, they made it harder for UST to close in the lead. Despite a two-point advantage in the third, 20-18 run, the Tigers were not able to turn the game back to their side.
It would have been a chance for the Growling Tigers to earn more points as UE committed several fouls against them, but UST only made 17 points out of 33 free throw shots.
UST and UE played intensely, eager to drive the ball into the basket for their respective teams. With only four minutes left on the clock, Wilson Bartolome was out of the game because of a cut on his eyelid after a hard scramble over a rebound with William Afoakwah. However, it seemed that the Red Warriors’ fight in the match was ignited that they were able to push themselves to a 19-point lead and drove to a second win.
When asked about what improved in their game against UST, Pumaren pointed out that his boys played consistently in the game. Unlike in the first round, the Warriors lost their aggressiveness in the second half against UST and left them defeated.
“I think that we were able to play more consistently in the game. We were able to make time to control the ball game, even though we know that they’re going to make a run, but we were able to stop that,”added Pumaren. “I think that we’re starting to show our true colors. As I said, I keep my fingers crossed to continue and play with confidence so that we’ll be able to play our full potential.”
Mark Olayon led the Warriors with 14 points and 7 rebounds. Both Alvin Pasaol and Edgar Charcos added 9 points each.
“Sunod lang kami sa Sistema ni manong. Saka talagang gawin lang namin yung laro namin as a team para manalo kami sa mga susunod pa na games,” said Pasaol.
UE will face FEU next on Oct. 16. Pumaren admitted that FEU is an experienced and well-coached team. UE just need to compete and play with confidence against them.
Louie Vigil’s 21 points was put to waste as they were defeated once again with a big loss. UST will also have to face FEU on Oct. 12.
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