By: Joaquin Cortez
For Lance Sabroso, earning a spot on the University of the East’s collegiate roster is only part of the journey.
Reuniting with former high school teammate Tope Lagat has made the transition even more meaningful, giving the rookie a familiar face to lean on as the Red Warriors continue to search for their first win in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament.
After playing together for the Junior Warriors in Seasons 86 and 87, Sabroso and Lagat are now teammates once again in the collegiate ranks, with the latter emerging as one of UE’s primary offensive weapons.
For Sabroso, having his former high school teammate by his side has been a bright spot in his transition to collegiate basketball.
“Masaya kami kasi nanggaling kami sa high school nang two years at nagsama rin kami sa college, kaya masaya ako na walang umalis sa amin,” Sabroso said.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Lagat made his collegiate debut in Season 88, while Sabroso spent the previous season with UE’s Team B before earning a spot on the Red Warriors’ roster this year.
Although he fell short of making the main lineup last season, his stint with the developmental team gave him an opportunity to address the gaps in his game, particularly as he transitioned to the point guard position.
“Oo. Dati, hindi naman ako point guard. Noong Season 88, doon ako nagtrabaho kasi dumaan ako sa Team B. So, doon ko tinrabaho lahat ng kulang ko and ‘yun, ready na akong bumalik ulit,” he said.
Against the University of the Philippines on Saturday, Lagat paced UE with 26 points and five assists, while Sabroso turned in his best outing of the season with nine points, all scored in the first half.
Sabroso also helped the Red Warriors build a 10-point lead late in the second quarter, 43-33, before the Fighting Maroons trimmed the deficit to three at halftime and eventually pulled away in the final period to secure a 91-81 victory.
Despite delivering his best performance of the season, Sabroso stressed that individual numbers mattered little compared to the team’s collective effort, emphasizing the importance of learning from the defeat.
“Sa akin naman, hindi ko naman iniisip ang sarili ko. Kasi etong basketball, team sports naman ‘to. Kaya sinasabi sa amin ni Coach Pau (Hubalde) na i-trabaho lang namin palagi ‘yung mga laro namin and dapat maging teamwork kami sa loob,” he said.
With Lagat shouldering a larger share of the scoring load, Sabroso said he has long believed in his former teammate’s ability to deliver.
“Alam ko na ‘yon dati pa lang. Kayang-kaya naman ni Tope, kaya nagtitiwala kami sa kanya. Kasi kami sa team, wala kaming dini-down na kasama kaya chini-cheer up namin na kung sino sa loob, magtatrabaho,” he said.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Saturday’s defeat dropped UE to 0-7 and extended its losing streak to 27 games dating back to Season 87. The Red Warriors are now tied with UP’s 27-game skid from Seasons 75 to 77 for the second-longest losing streak in the Final Four era.
Adamson University holds the record for the longest losing streak, having dropped 35 consecutive games from Seasons 62 to 65 between 1999 and 2002.
However, Sabroso brushed aside the significance of the unwanted milestone, saying the Red Warriors remain focused on competing and working toward their first victory rather than dwelling on their losing streak.
“Wala kaming pakialam diyan eh … wala kaming iniisip na matatalo kami at ginagawa namin lahat ng makakaya namin,” the rookie said. “Soon, makukuha din namin yan.”
As UE continues its search for its first win in two years, Sabroso is determined to keep working on his shortcomings alongside his teammates, starting with their preparations on the practice court.
“This second round, tatrabuhin lang namin ang kulang namin at ‘yung kulang ko,” he said. “Start palagi sa practice kung ano ang kulang namin.”
