Following the toughest off-season any team could have ever experienced, many counted out the University of the East’s chances for a deep run in the new UAAP season.
It comes as no surprise that year after year, the Red Warriors have faced significant setbacks, dating back to Season 84 when reigning NCAA MVP Clint Escamis left the program.
Then came the departures of Gani Stevens and Harvey Pagsanjan after making waves in Season 85.
UE’s lone silver lining during its 4-10 campaign in Season 86 was Mythical Five member Rey Remogat, who was poised to lead the university back to its winning ways after averaging 16.5 points, a league-best 7.9 assists, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.0 steals.
However, shocking transfers continued. Remogat took his talents to the University of the Philippines.
Compounding this loss, four more players – Josh Alcantara, Allen Maglupay, JM Tulabut, and John Manalang – also left the program.
Rather than dwelling on the departures, Red Warriors head coach Jack Santiago viewed it as an opportunity to maximize every player in his 16-man roster for what promised to be an up-and-down campaign in Season 87.
“Hindi naman namin sila masisisi because they had their other plans. Ang sa amin lang, kung ano yung naiwan sa amin dito, we will as much as possible, we will maximize everything,” Santiago said.
Out went Remogat and friends, and in came new faces like John Abate and Nico Mulingtapang, alongside the emergence of key holdovers Precious Momowei, Jack Cruz-Dumont, Ethan Galang, Reinier Maga, and Wello Lingolingo.
With these players under Santiago’s guidance – individuals he personally recruited – UE entered the season without fear.
After dropping their first two games to open the Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament, the Red Warriors have now won five straight, finishing the first round in solo third with a 5-2 record.
Their fifth straight win was highlighted by a Lingolingo double-pump bank shot buzzer-beater against Adamson. This five-game streak also marked the squad’s longest winning streak since Season 77 in 2014.
Acknowledging the Shadows of the Past
Santiago has been with the Red Warriors for more than four years, having signed on in 2020. However, due to the pandemic, he made his UE coaching debut in Season 84 in 2022.
He took over a Red Warriors squad that had missed the Final Four for 11 years and endured a disastrous Season 82, winning only four of 10 games.
In his first season with UE, Santiago was suspended for “conduct unbecoming of a head coach” after allegedly instructing his players to deliberately harm UP guard Ricci Rivero.
Ultimately, the Red Warriors ended Santiago’s first year as head coach winless, going 0-14.
While making some noise in Season 85, UE still missed out on a Final Four ticket, finishing in sixth place with a 5-9 record.
The job was not easy, as Santiago understood the Red Warriors were in full rebuilding mode. What made it even harder were the uncontrollable transfers of his supposed building blocks.
While acknowledging that the transfers were beyond his control, Santiago couldn’t help but reflect on what might have gone wrong with his program.
However, known for his tough love and bravery, Santiago chose to look at the bigger picture.
“Being a coach, hindi naman ako stubborn guy kagaya ng iba. Ako naman, I appreciate yung mga suggestions. Maybe medyo naging very strict sa kanila, but of course at the end of the day, ang sinasabi ko lang sa mga boys is hindi ito para sa akin, para sa inyo ito,” the former Adamson lead assistant said.
“Ina-assess natin yung mga last season na mga umaalis na kung kailangan ‘yon yung mga ini-issue nila, I’m willing to adjust naman for the benefits of the school,” he continued.
Illuminated by Family and Team
Rebuilding a once-dynastic basketball program like UE inevitably involves a flurry of negative emotions and, often, loneliness.
After surprising the league in Season 85, Santiago’s main gunners bid farewell. Pagsanjan signed a contract with Nueva Ecija in the MPBL, while Stevens joined the UP Fighting Maroons.
The rebuilding process continued to be challenging for UE, resulting in a 4-10 record in Season 86 – marking the 14th consecutive season that UE missed out on a Final Four slot.
Nevertheless, Santiago kept his head high and remained resilient through every challenge he faced during the lowest of times, supported by his family and his players.
“Number one is my family. They make sure na okay ako… At tsaka, maganda yung nagkakaroon kami ng discussion with the players,” he revealed.
“Nagkaroon kami ng team building and get together and then may 1-on-1 sa players not only to strengthen yung team chemistry, but para kahit papaano, ma-relieve ako sa bigat ng mga pinagdaanan namin.”
Embracing the New Dawn
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
To begin restoring their winning ways, the Red Warriors needed new catalysts – most importantly the arrival of key recruits who believed in Santiago’s system and the return of holdovers who understood his journey.
With the continued rise of Momowei, Galang, and Cruz-Dumont, players like Abate, Mulingtapang, and the emergence of Lingolingo and Maga proved crucial to UE’s strong 5-2 start in Season 87.
While Santiago had talented players in his first three years with the Red Warriors, those teams lacked teamwork and the necessary chemistry to embrace their identity and roles.
This time around, however, this version of UE has endured some highs, but more importantly, the lowest of lows. For Santiago, sticking together as a family during these low points has paid dividends, leading to the unselfish brand of basketball and togetherness that the Red Warriors now exhibit.
“Yung dedication ng mga players and acceptance doon sa mga roles nila. Season 85 and 86, I would say makikita mo maraming talented players. But, if you look sa mga years, maraming one-and-done. Kumbaga, wala yung teamwork and samahan,” Santiago shared.
“Unlike ito ngayon, yung bonding at samahan nila, developed na silang lahat ‘eh. Walang grumaduate from last year, so lahat yan puro magkakasama ngayon. Kaya I could say, this is the team and batch namin na I consider na kayang maglaro and mag-beat ng mga medyong magagandang team.”
