Despite his early struggles, Ethan Galang embraced a “shooters shoot” mentality when University of the East needed him most.
Galang showcased his three-point shooting prowess in the final moments of the game, leading the Red Warriors to a comeback victory over Far Eastern University.
This win marked UE’s first in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament.
With less than two minutes remaining and his team down by four points, Precious Momowei split his free throws to make it a three-point game.
Galang then stepped up, hitting a crucial game-tying triple from the left elbow to level the score at 51 with 1:16 left.
Following a turnover by Veejay Pre, Galang seized the opportunity by sinking a go-ahead three-pointer with 25 seconds remaining.
His clutch performance secured UE’s 56-51 victory and improved their record to 1-2, placing them sixth in the standings.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“I was off pretty much the whole game, but then that last minute, it was just ‘keep shooting, keep my head up’,” the 6-foot-2 guard out of Los Angeles, California shared.
“Whatever happened in the past can stay in the past. Keep shooting.”
He also noted how making that crucial shot boosted his confidence.
“My first make will always be something that will get me going. I think as a shooter – not only speaking for myself, but as soon as you see the ball go in, it’s just gonna boost your confidence really high,” he added.
Galang’s clutch baskets were made possible by the trust instilled in him by Red Warriors head coach Jack Santiago.
Despite Galang’s earlier struggles – shooting 1-of-8 from the field and 0-of-4 from three-point range – Santiago encouraged him to take the open shots.
“We were down by three points, and I told him… He struggled the whole game, then I told him, ‘If it’s wide open, take the shot.’ And he said, ‘Yes’,” Santiago said.
“Sometimes, when players miss a couple of shots, they tend to change their approach. But despite Galang’s struggles with his three-point shot throughout the game, I’m so glad that he responded very well.”
