MANILA, Philippines – Rey Suerte proved to be the lucky recruit the University of the East needed. 

Suerte knocked in the game-winner with 3.2 seconds left as the UE Red Warriors escaped a shorthanded La Salle Green Archers, 89-88, in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday, September 14 at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

A transferee from Cebu, Suerte erupted for a season-high 31 points off a 5-of-7 clip from beyond the arc to go with 7 boards and 3 assists.

“Kailangan na talaga namin ipanalo, so sa isip ko positive na lang, kailangan ko i-shoot,” said Suerte.

(I was being positive because we needed to win the game, so I had to make the shot.)

Neil Tolentino also impressed with 19 points, while Jem Cruz chipped in 13 points for the Warriors, who snapped a three-game skid.

The Green Archers played minus Fil-Am standouts Jamie Malonzo, who sat out due to a sprained wrist, and Keys Meeker, who sustained a tendonitis injury. 

Justine Baltazar led La Salle with a double-double of 21 points and 17 boards while Aljun Melecio scored another 21 points.

After trailing most of the game, La Salle looked headed to steal it after unleashing an 8-0 run capped by Encho Serrano’s and-1 play that nabbed the lead for the Green Archers, 83-81, with 1:07 left in the game.

UE’s Chris Conner drew a crucial foul off Baltazar  to knot the score at 83-all, but Serrano again put La Salle up by sinking both his freebies.

Suerte then drained the first of his two clutch shots, burying a go-ahead trey with 15.4 seconds to go, 86-85.

La Salle veteran guard Melecio answered back with a triple, but Suerte came up with a game-winning three to seal the game for UE.

The loss pushed the Green Archers down to 6th with a 1-2 record.

The Scores

UE 89 – Suerte 31, Tolentino 19, Cruz 13, Pagsanjan 8, Apacible 6, Conner 4, Mendoza 4, Natividad 4, Abanto 0, Camacho 0, Diakhite 0, Sawat 0.

La Salle 88 – Baltazar 21, Melecio 21, Caracut 16, Serrano 14, Pado 9, Lojera 3, Bartlett 2, Manuel 2, Bates 0, Hill 0.

Quarters: 28-24, 48-37, 70-63, 89-88

–Rappler.com