UE plays to its potential, aims to end UAAP 79 on a high

Jane Bracher

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UE plays to its potential, aims to end UAAP 79 on a high
UE aims to finish the season on a positive note and take whatever they can with them to next year

MANILA, Philippines – In its second to the last game of the season, University of the East exuded calm. 

Stripped of expectations and playing with nothing to lose, the Red Warriors played to the potential coach Derrick Pumaren knew was always in them on their way to a comfortable 80-67 win over University of the Philippines on Sunday, November 13.

“I think we really played to our full potential today. We stayed aggressive the whole night. Even though UP made a run, we still kept our poise. We didn’t give up,” Pumaren said proudly.  

“We played hard, the energy was there. We know how UP plays and I’m happy with the energy the players showed.” 

UE came out aggressive in the first half, pouring 42 points and limiting UP to just 28 points. Guard Philip Manalang paced the Warriors with 14 points and 6 rebounds as Bon Batiller had 14 markers together with Emil Palma. 

The Warriors, who started the season as potential dark horses, are now 3 and 10 with defending champions FEU Tamaraws as their last assignment. 

“I think this is the best shooting night that we had in a long while,” noted Pumaren, whose team shot almost 40% from the field compared to the Fighting Maroons’ 32%. 

“But the players really fought well out there, we played hard, and we know that we’re out but we want to end the season with respect. So I think that’s what the players showed tonight.” 

UE aims to finish the season on a positive note and take whatever they can with them to next year.

“Before the game coach told us we still need to earn respect so we can bring that with us next season,” Manalang said in Filipino. 

“I told my players we’re only as good as the last game we played. We got two games left, which is counting today’s game, and we got FEU. I said we can salvage it and try to get the two wins so we won’t end up in last place. That’s our target,” Pumaren said.

“We want to end the season on a winning note so hopefully we’ll be able to carry this on Wednesday against FEU.” – Rappler.com

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