When Alvin Pasaol knocked down his second triple of the game for his 25th point Sunday evening, he debuted a new celebration.
As he went down the floor, he opened his mouth and made an eating gesture. Yes, the burly forward, who lost nine kilograms entering the season, did just that.
UE gets its first win… And Alvin Pasaol is HUNGRY for more ? #UAAPSeason81 pic.twitter.com/JZkjDluJsD
— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) September 30, 2018
“Nagugutom na kasi ako eh,” he quipped.
It was that kind of night for the University of the East Red Warriors when they faced the Far Eastern University Tamaraws. After absorbing four straight losses by double-digit margins, the Red Warriors finally showed that they could play an almost-perfect game.
And one of the adjustments first-year Red Warriors head coach Joe Silva made was bringing the sensational scorer off the bench.
“Wala namang difference,” shared the 22-year-old native of Davao. “Last year din kay manong Derrick [Pumaren], off-the-bench naman talaga ako. Kaso nakaano – ang siguro sa strategy ni coach Joe na ganun muna yung sistema.
“Nakatulong lang din siguro na off the bench din ako pagpasok ko sa kanila. Buti naman kasi nabasa ko yung gagawin ko pagpasok ko,” he added.
In just 28 minutes of play, Pasaol finished with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and five steals. But it was not just Pasaol who had his numbers, as he finally had support as well.
Jason Varilla had 25 points and 13 rebounds, while Philip Manalang tallied 13 points and 12 assists. Moreover, all but two of the Red Warriors scored in the contest.
“Sobrang saya ko.
“Last few games namin, nakukuha naman nila pero ‘di nila masyado nashoo-shoot yung bola. Sobrang laki ng confidence nila na kaya nila. Laging sinasabi sa kanila na kaya niyo, tiwala tayo na kaya nating manalo,” he expressed.
But making it more fun for him is that he can finally get to eat, as UE’s management treated the team to buffet house Cabalen. And Pasaol is hungry for more… wins, that is.
