Already reeling in its buildup for UAAP Season 86, University of the East were hit with two big blows over the past month.
Incoming sophomore Gani Stevens and incoming junior Kyle Paranada left the Red Warriors camp. The former has already committed to University of the Philippines, while the latter looks to transfer to another school.
Knowing that the next three months will be crucial to their development, third-year UE head coach Jack Santiago could not help but just move on from the departures of those two key players.
“Actually, we already moved on. Di na namin pinag-uusapan yan eh, especially ‘yung mga movement nung last time. Actually, we already moved on.
“I talked to the players and the management that we just moved on. Actually, ang mas maganda pag-usapan ‘yung team ko ngayon,” he said.
On Wednesday, UE’s playoff hopes in the 2023 Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup were diminished by reigning UAAP king Ateneo de Manila University.
The only wins of the Red Warriors in the preseason meet were against Adamson University (71-55), FAITH (119-64), and Centro Escolar University (67-59).
Still there were some silver-linings for UE’s campaign.
Second-year guard Rey Remogat has proven that he can take the wheel, while American big man Delvion Jackson is starting to break into the squad. Abdul Sawat has become a steady rock for the team as well.
“Actually si Noy is really playing well, that’s why I told him this is his team already , and also of course, si Sawat will be a big part of the team, I appointed him as team captain because alam ko he will be the leader dun sa team,” he said.
There are also a couple of incoming freshmen who Santiago sees stepping up, namely Jack Dumont-Cruz and Ethan Galang.
“So with the addition of Ethan Galang, and Jack Dumont-Cruz, yeah, there will be changes definitely. Actually, kadadating lang ng mga yan, so halos wala pang one week yan nagpa-practice,” he said.
“So we need a couple of tune-up games, 5-on-5, and I think we’ll be okay, the team is starting to gel, so yeah I think we’ll be okay.”
