By: Joaquin Cortez
Tope Lagat continues to give University of the East reasons to believe, but his scoring outbursts have yet to translate into a breakthrough victory for the Red Warriors, who absorbed their sixth straight loss in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament against Adamson University on Sunday.
Lagat erupted for 22 points and two steals, but UE suffered its 26th consecutive defeat dating back two years, moving within one loss of matching the second-longest losing streak in the Final Four era.
Despite the Red Warriors’ continued struggles, the sophomore guard remains determined to help the team snap its skid. He also stressed the need to correct the costly mistakes that have repeatedly undermined their efforts.
“Makatulong lang ako sa team ko. As long as matulungan ko ang team ko, focus lang kami on getting that first win talaga,” Lagat said.
The Red Warriors once again struggled with turnovers and second-chance points, which Lagat identified as crucial shortcomings in their latest defeat.
“‘Yung second-chance points, ‘yung crucial turnover namin in the last minutes. We could have converted sana to cut the leads to shorter leads. Siguro, ‘yung turnover talaga ‘yung what fell short,” he said.
Adamson capitalized on its opportunities, scoring 12 second-chance points while limiting UE to just one. The Soaring Falcons also outrebounded the Red Warriors, 45-27.
The defeat left UE one loss away from matching University of the Philippines’ 27-game losing streak from 2012 to 2014. Only Adamson’s 35-game skid from 1999 to 2002 stands as a longer losing streak in the Final Four era.
While the Red Warriors continue to search for a breakthrough victory, Lagat’s individual production has emerged as a bright spot in an otherwise difficult campaign.
After averaging 6.77 points, 1.46 rebounds, and 0.31 assists in 13 appearances during Season 88, the sophomore guard from Pangasinan has emerged as the league’s leading scorer midway through the first round.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Entering Sunday’s game, Lagat was averaging a league-best 19.6 points through five outings. He previously erupted for 30 points on 11-of-17 shooting against De La Salle University last Sunday and scored 22 points against University of Santo Tomas. He also tallied 20 points and five rebounds against Far Eastern University.
Lagat credited the coaching staff’s trust in him and his willingness to shoulder greater responsibility for his breakthrough campaign.
“I think I was given a chance lang by our coaches and ‘yung trust ng coaches sa akin,” he said.
“I’m taking responsibility na ibibigay ko lang ‘yung part ko para matulungan ko ‘yung team ko para manalo.”
The UE guard also expressed gratitude to newly-appointed head coach Paulo Hubalde, whose continued support has helped keep the team motivated despite its prolonged struggles.
“Siyempre, super grateful kami na Coach Pau is our head coach. Maraming natutulong si Coach Pau; he boosts our confidence, on-and-off the court lagi niya kaming tinutulungan,” Lagat said.
“Sobrang happy lang kami kasi he still chose us.”
Lagat added that Hubalde has consistently encouraged the team to remain resilient and focus on improving every day, regardless of the results.
“Every single time, trainings or games, talagang pinu-push lang kami ni Coach Pau to just keep our heads up, keep on fighting as long as we are improving every single day,” he said.
“As long as makuha namin at magawa namin ang best namin to get that first win, we’ll do it.”
UE faces another difficult test as it attempts to avoid matching UP’s 27-game losing streak when it takes on the Fighting Maroons on Saturday, October 17, at 2:30 PM at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
For Lagat and the Red Warriors, the challenge is to turn their promising stretches into a complete performance and finally secure their first victory of the season.
“Focus muna kami on what we can improve at kailangang i-improve ang shortcomings para ‘di na maulit sa next games namin,” Lagat said.
