Round 1 of UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball is about to reach its end, the University of the East Red Warriors are the only team not to record a single win yet.
But why is that?
John Abate, Precious Momowae…and Friends
If a team has a “Dynamic Duo”, you can rest well knowing they can get the job done for you.
However, this has a side effect for the U.E. Red Warriors as their 2 main guys are the only bright spots of the team while the rest struggle to be the 3rd and 4th scorers.
Both John Abate and Precious Momowae are getting all the highlight reels on social media as well as the attention to various sports media outlets but it also highlights the need of the team for a consistent 3rd player to step up.
The Chris Gavina Effect is Loading
Despite earning a name in the Professional Coaching, newly appointed Head Coach of the Red Warriors Chris Gavina has yet to give his team the “leap” he is best known for.
Back in the 2015-16 PBA Governor’s Cup, the Terrafirma Dyip, known back then as the Mahindra Enforcers, made it to the Playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Who leads the team? It was Chris Gavina.
His main players back then were LA Revilla, KG Canaleta and import James White.
He also then helped the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters be a “Assured Playoffs Team” when he took over as the Head Coach for a brief moment of time.
But for his collegiate coaching? Success has not yet arrived.
Horrible Defense and 2nd Half Meltdown
It seems like in the past 5 games of U.E., one area of improvement that is definitely noticeable is the 2nd Half performance.
They always blow a big lead or fail to make a successful comeback come the 3rd and final period.
Yes there are close games but with the record of 0-5 for the Red Warriors, everyone can agree that the team has won the majority of the first half of the games.
Their defense has also crumbled in the 2nd Half of action whether it’s a close matchup or they have a lead.
Kristoper “Tope” Lagat, A Soon to be Star
Despite being at the bottom of the standings, the Red Warriors are still doing a great job in developing their young talent in the name of Tope Lagat.
The 19 year old from Pangasinan balled out in the latest loss of U.E. against the Adamson University Falcons. Off the bench he scored 8 points all in the 3rd quarter where the U.E. poured in 33 points in total.
“We really want to win our first game, so yung willingness lang to win kaya ginawa ko yung best ko. I just work, nag-e-extra work lang din every practice ta’s yung film, very important yung ginawa namin to review our mistakes and itama lang namin from the last games,”
Prior to that game, he only averaged 3.75 points in 8 minutes.
“Being a rookie, sobrang grateful ako na binibigyan ako nang ganitong opportunities ni coach Chris.” he said after the 77 – 62 loss.
“Hindi ko ita-take for granted yung binigay sa’king opportunity kaya gagawin ko lang yung best ko every time na papasok ako sa court.”
Tope is a product of the U.E. Juniors team and was given the opportunity to be with the Seniors squad this Season 88.
“This game, big confidence booster sa’kin ‘to. Pero hindi pa rin ako titigil to work on my game. Hindi pwedeng isang game lang ako maglaro. Kailangan ko maging consistent, hindi lang para sa’kin, for the team din.”
Bounce Back in Round 2 of Elimination
Even though the chance of having a Final Four appearance is slowly getting out of their hands, the U.E. Red Warriors can still ball out in the Round 2 of Elimination.
Not for a possible Playoff appearance but for the sake of giving wins to their graduating players and possibly giving a winning momentum come Season 89 begins.
Who knows, the team can win 7 games in a row in the Round 2 of elims.
