Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Santiago looks to give Salgado, Payawal, Paranada proper send-off for lifting UE


Coming off a dismal 0-14 record in Season 84, University of the East is one of the feel-good stories of the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament.

After losing to National University in their first game, the Red Warriors defeated Far Eastern University in their next assignment, 76-66.

That was their first win since Season 82 (83 did not take place due to the pandemic).

But UE did not stop at win no.1. The Red and White next shocked De La Salle University, before beating University of Santo Tomas to move above .500 after five games at 3-2.

Legendary Red Warriors Paul Lee, Roi Sumang, Rey Suerte, and the whole UE community came alive and trooped to the venues to show support for the resurgent program.

UAAP85-MBB-PAUL-LEE Santiago looks to give Salgado, Payawal, Paranada proper send-off for lifting UE Basketball News UAAP UE  - philippine sports news

But as fate would have it, UE would eventually fold seven times in its next eight outings. And they bowed out of Final Four contention on Wednesday after a 69-66 downer in overtime against Ateneo de Manila University.

Still, it has been a hell of a season for a team who dropped all 14 games in its last campaign.

“I would say yes (we are the surprise team of this season). Kung titingnan mo naman yung lineup, we are a darkhorse talaga. Hindi kami ganon kalakas, wala kaming import. Nut still every game nakakapag-compete kami,” said second year head coach Jack Santiago.

“Siguro, dadating lang doon sa stage na because of lack of materials, minsan talagang down the stretch magsa-suffer yung team,” added the long-time deputy of Franz Pumaren.

One-and-done forwards Luis Villegas and CJ Payawal were role models. Meanwhile, brothers Nikko and Kyle Paranada showed that they can carry the offensive load.

#ReadMore  Stint with Team Glory Be helped Asistio grow as a student-athlete

Freshmen Gani Stevens and Abdul Sawat also held the fort in the paint, while Harvey Pagsanjan was his old self.

UAAP85-MBB-HARVEY-PAGSANJAN Santiago looks to give Salgado, Payawal, Paranada proper send-off for lifting UE Basketball News UAAP UE  - philippine sports news

But other than that, it’s been mix and match for Santiago and co. of who will come in next, giving the aforementioned cagers heavy minutes.

Villegas, Payawal, and Nikko will all leave come next season.

However, Santiago feels confident that the upward rise of the Red Warriors will continue in Season 86 – his third year at the helm.

“I think maganda naman yung improvement ng mga bata. Kasi right now, I would say nakukuha na nila yung system namin, eh. Pero of course, let’s face it, mawawalan kami ng key players like Paranada, Payawal, and Luis,” said Santiago.

After playing its last game next Saturday against the Green Archers, UE will look to fill the big holes left by those three important players.

Nikko’s role might be resolved already, though. Rey Remogat, given 24 minutes against the Blue Eagles, put on a show with 21 big points on a 7-of-14 clip from the field.

UAAP85-MBB-REY-REMOGAT Santiago looks to give Salgado, Payawal, Paranada proper send-off for lifting UE Basketball News UAAP UE  - philippine sports news

“Maganda nga lang dito at least nakita natin yung pupwedeng pamalit kina (Nikko) Paranada for next year. I’m so happy na Remogat nag step up siya.”

Written By

Just a kid from Cavite trying to make a difference.




You May Also Like

Basketball

De La Salle University erupted for a scorching third quarter to keep its unbeaten streak alive, while National University locked in the final UAAP...

AU

University of Santo Tomas became the first team from the UAAP Group to clinch a playoff berth in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil...

Basketball

University of the East has added a new weapon to its backcourt in hopes of filling the void left by Rainer Maga ahead of...

AdU

Adamson University finally barged into the win column of the Playtime Cares Filoil 18th Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive after outlasting University...

Basketball

Jacob Cortez delivered a masterclass on Saturday night, exploding for 31 points to power De La Salle University past University of the Philippines, 106-99,...

AU

Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas kicked off their campaigns in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC...

AU

By: Jerod Orcullo The bloodline of former PBA enforcer Rudy Distrito lives on at University of the East. Jax Distrito, a 6-foot-2 guard from...

ADMU

Ateneo de Manila University will not be participating in the 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, which tips off on May 18 at the Filoil...

Advertisement