UAAP: Former UE stars thrilled to see Red Warriors regain competitiveness

Previous UE Crimson Warriors looking at a UAAP game. –Lance Agcaoili/Inquirer Sports

MANILA, Philippines — Previous College of the East stars Paul Lee, Roi Sumang, and Rey Suerte are delighted to see the existing Red Warriors rise from cellar dwellers to a tricky-preventing squad in the UAAP Year 85 men’s basketball tournament.

Lee, who last introduced UE to the Finals in Season 72–which was also the final time the school attained the postseason  beneath the late coach Lawrence Chongson–was at courtside with fellow alumni together with RR De Leon as the Crimson Warriors pushed defending winner College of the Philippines to the limit before yielding an 84-77 reduction on Wednesday at Shopping mall of Asia Arena.

“It feels fantastic to be again. I feel they’re for actual ideal now. When is the past time they won again-to-back again? I’m just pleased that our college is competing all over again. It makes me happy,” claimed Lee, who plays for Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA, in Filipino.

“I’m delighted to finally have the time to check out them. I was supposed to stop by them in the course of the pep rally, exactly where the alumni faced the present-day UE gamers. But we had observe (at Magnolia) that time,” he included.

Suerte, a just one-and-a single for UE final Season 82 in which he aided the team complete with four wins, was delighted with how the Purple Warriors responded to his assistance soon after a -14 year previous April,

“We’re joyful to see UE winning and preventing once more after previous period (-14),” claimed Suerte, who utilized to participate in with recent players Harvey Pagsanjan, Jojo Antiporda, Allan Beltran, and Abdul Sawat, in advance of getting drafted into the PBA.

“I employed to play with most of them. Every time I go to Gastambide to go to my close friends, I always notify them that they really need to bounce back again this time right after what occurred in Year (84).”

And the Crimson Warriors responded to Suerte’s suggestions, accomplishing their very first back-to-back again wins, such as a big upset on La Salle, for the 1st time due to the fact his lone season a few several years in the past.

Competitive RECRUIMENT

For former UAAP mythical five member Sumang, UE’s extensive advancement is largely owing t Jack Santiago’s process and recruitment just after landing brothers Kyle and Nikko Paranada, CJ Payawal, and Luis Villegas.

“I assume it’s for the reason that of the recruitment. I imagine now the crew has seven FilAms. And coach Jack definitely has a good procedure,” Sumang advised the reporters in Filipino. “All the teams have a good system but it will boil down to how the gamers will match. As they say, UE has the items and the gamers shift the ball well that’s why they are profitable. I’m satisfied since my faculty is winning.”

Sumang, who fits it for NorthPort Batang Pier in the PBA, is amazed with Kyle Paranada, whose match reminds him of Lee.

“Galing. Iba yung basketball talaga. Parang si Paul (He’s good. His basketball skills are different. He’s like Paul),” quipped the NorthPort guard.

Lee in the meantime, likes the opportunity of Payawal, who drained again-to-again clutch 3-pointers to trim a 79-69 deficit into a 4-position sport, 79-75, with 29.8 seconds remaining prior to they fell quick.

“I like the recreation of Payawal. I viewed him perform against Adamson. Although they misplaced, his activity is seriously smooth. He doesn’t force any pictures, he picks his places. It’s wonderful to look at a player like him who doesn’t have to have to acquire a ton of pictures. I’m rooting for that dude and the full UE staff,” the Magnolia star said.

UE mentor Jack Santiago is grateful for the support of their alumni, serving as a major boost in their bid to show that they belong in the UAAP.

“It’s heartwarming. Even through our tactics, there are alumni encouraging the workforce, bringing some foodstuff for these youthful players. When I go to the athletics office environment, there are alumni asking for tickets previously. I’m astonished to see the crowd supporting us. I want to thank them also. It is a large assist for the group to see the guidance of the group,” claimed Santiago.

Inspite of the reduction to UP, UE is sharing the fourth spot with La Salle at 3-3. The Red Warriors wrap up their 1st-round campaign in opposition to the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sunday at Ynares Heart Antipolo.

“They have to do well in their remaining video games. It’s also early to convey to if they will get to the Closing Four. They have to continue to keep functioning challenging,” Suerte stated.

“Let’s just get it one particular match at a time. These previous two online games are a very good likelihood for them to gauge their stage. Simply because in the UAAP every activity is critical, particularly this time there had been a lot of upsets that occurred,” Lee echoed.

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