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Once seen as a cinch to reach the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Final Four, the UE Red Warriors suddenly find themselves in survival mode
MANILA, Philippines – At the most inopportune time, the UE Red Warriors have suddenly hit a wall of mediocrity.
After a strong 5-2 start to close out the first round of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament, the Red Warriors lost three of their first four games in the second round, including back-to-back losses to the Adamson Soaring Falcons and FEU. Tamaras.
UE posted the lowest scoring performance in a 45-37 loss against Adamson then bowed to FEU in a 59-51 defeat on Sunday, November 3, with both the Soaring Falcons and Tamaraws boosting their Final Four hopes at the expense of the Road Warriors.
“We’ve been playing like crap lately, you know. I honestly don’t know what’s going on with us,” UE center Precious Momowei said bluntly.
“You know, we’re in a good place now, but you know, I honestly don’t know what’s wrong. “I swear to God, you know, we’ve been playing bad lately, so I really don’t know what to say, honestly,” he added.
Even head coach Jack Santiago is stunned by the Red Warriors’ recent struggles.
‘Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t know what’s happening with the team right now. Looking back, going back to the preparation, we had a good preparation against Adamson and FEU,” said the third-year head coach.
According to UE projections, the team needs just one win to secure the coveted Final Four berth that the team last achieved in 2009.
It will be a challenge for the Red Warriors.
Next up for UE (6-5) are the UST Growling Tigers (5-6), Ateneo Blue Eagles (3-8) and the UP Fighting Maroons (9-2).
With virtually one foot in the Final Four door, Santiago hopes his players can shake off some of the outside pressure.
“We will prepare for our next match and then we will solve all the adjustments that the team needs,” Santiago said.
“So far we don’t care if we get the third or fourth seed, we just have to win the remaining matches,” he added.
“I have confidence from the boys that we will get to the Final Four.” – Rappler.com