Despite ending the second round with a 5-2 record, University of the East now finds itself in a do-or-die situation to enter the Final Four after concluding the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on a five-game losing streak.
UE first saw itself denied an outright entry to the Final Four with a 67-77 loss to the UP Fighting Maroons.
Then the Adamson Soaring Falcons forced a playoff for the last semifinal spot by defeating the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 69-55, in the final elimination game on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
With their chances of snapping a 15-year Final Four drought now hanging by a thread, UE head coach Jack Santiago hopes that the entire Red Warriors – from players to coaching staff – will enter the do-or-die affair against Adamson with a fresh mindset.
The winner of the match-up will face the top-seeded and reigning champion De La Salle University in the Final Four next Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Adamson played well. They prepared for Ateneo, but siguro ganon lang din gagawin namin. We’ll prepare for them on Wednesday,” Santiago told Tiebreaker Times.
“Actually, medyo mahirap because mentally, medyo down yung mga players or even yung coaches, but we just need to compete on Wednesday,” he admitted.
“We had a talk with the players yesterday and sabi ko nga, nag-reset kami, 0-0. Hopefully, maglaro kami ng maayos. It’s a do-or-die, no turning back, there’s no tomorrow.”
Coincidentally, for the last three seasons, Adamson has always figured in the playoff for the last Final Four spot.
In Season 85, Adamson bested La Salle to enter the Final Four. A year later, they faltered against Ateneo in Season 86.
While history and experience are not in their favor – coupled with entering the do-or-die on a five-game slump – Santiago vows that his players will leave everything on the floor in hopes of clinching a Final Four ticket for the first time since Season 72.
“It’s an advantage sa Adamson kasi nga they had the experience sa mga ganito. Second, medyo matagal na rin mga players nila. We will try our best para makacompete on Wednesday. Ibubuhos na namin lahat doon,” shared the former La Salle assistant coach.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In hopes of snapping out of their slump, Santiago added that mental fortitude would not be enough. He cited the need for key players like Ethan Galang, Wello Lingolingo, and Precious Momowei to rise to the occasion.
However, Santiago emphasized the importance of team effort to support the Red Warriors’ core in this all-important affair, hoping to spoil the Soaring Falcons’ chances of entering the Final Four for the first time in two years.
“I think it’s a team effort ‘no. Hindi namin kaya manalo ng isa or dalawang tao lang, it’s a team effort. But again, Ethan (Galang) is on a slump, also Wello (Lingolingo) and then (Precious) Momowei,” Santiago concluded.
“Hopefully, by Wednesday, maka-recover kami.”
