Motivated UE Red Warriors find themselves on surprise hot streak

JR Isaga

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Motivated UE Red Warriors find themselves on surprise hot streak
After Adamson crashed against Ateneo, the 2-6 UE now by default holds the second-hottest winning streak in the UAAP

MANILA, Philippines – There are days when the unthinkable just happens. Then there are days when a bunch of unthinkables happen.

First off, after 6 straight losses to open the season, the UE Red Warriors just routed the NU Bulldogs, 90-77, for their second straight win.

Second, 4 other teammates outscored the “Human Heat Check” Alvin Pasaol en route to the victory. Mark Olayon led the Warrior rally with a near-triple-double of 17 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Role players Will Bartolome, Mark Maloles and Nick Abanto followed suit with 14, 13 and 13 points, respectively. Pasaol didn’t even need to check in for the entire 4th quarter and finished 5th in team scoring with 11 markers in just 19 minutes off a cold 5/15 clip.

Finally, after the now 5-3 Adamson crashed against the 8-0 Ateneo, the 2-6 UE now by default holds the second-hottest winning streak in the UAAP. The Warriors are followed by La Salle and UP, each with a one-game win streak.

Apart maybe from the last fact, all this didn’t just happen by accident or coincidence. 

Right from tip-off, the Warriors moved with a drive that first showed itself in the last 5 minutes of their improbable near-win against champion La Salle. It took 6 losses and a lot of patience from “Manong” Derrick Pumaren for them to finally work as a unit. 

Now, we see why Manong desperately sought for that teamwork to show. With rebounding hustle and ball movement similar to the Warriors from way out in California, the local Warriors looked untouchable. Easy basket upon easy basket just dropped for them with no specific player taking the full load as all comeback efforts from the Bulldogs proved futile. Although NU did manage to trim the lead to 3 after the third, it just wasn’t their night. More quick buckets off pinpoint passes saw UE balloon their lead to as big as 16 and made them pull away for good.

“There is no more third round,” said Coach Pumaren after the game. “We just came out there, played consistent ball. We really played well the last couple of games and we showed it tonight that we have to be consistent.” 

“Hats off, I’m proud of the way the second group came in,” he added. “They gave Alvin the needed rest and they were able to deliver.” 

Meanwhile, Olayon knew he and the team had their leader’s back. “Nakuha ko rin yung kumpiyansa ko last game,” he said. “Tapos nung 4 fouls na si Alvin sabi ko, “Sige Vin, balik ka na lang mamaya. Tutulungan ko yung team mag-step up.”” (“I also got my confidence last game. Then when Alvin had 4 fouls, I said, “Alright Vin, just come back later. I’ll help the team to step up.””) 

Heading into their next game against Adamson and his brother Franz Pumaren, Manong joked, “Well, sana makabawi naman ako ng dinner,” (“I hope I can get a dinner back”) probably implying that the losing brother pays the food bill.  

An upset against Franz would ease up Manong’s credit, that’s for sure. – Rappler.com

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