The UE Red Warriors are still looking for a breakthrough win in the UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament that will snap their now 29-game losing streak dating back to Season 87. And for head coach Paolo Hubalde, it will take an all-around team effort to do just that, with every player contributing, from the starters to the last man off the bench.
‘Super Friends’ Must Help Super Toper Lagat
Following a 31-point blowout loss to the UP Fighting Maroons last Sunday to open the second round of eliminations, UE’s now-permanent head coach emphasized the need for every player to contribute in any way possible.
Using a superhero analogy, the UE alumnus likened the Red Warriors to the comic book superhero group known as the “Super Friends,” who help Superman in his battles.
“Kahit nga sa ‘Super Friends’ hindi kaya ni Superman mag-isa, diba? So, sa akin, we need everyone from top to bottom kailangan talaga nagbibigay tulong,” Hubalde said in an interview with Rebanse.
With sophomore guard Toper Lagat consistently leading the team in scoring and finishing the first round of eliminations as the league’s leading scorer, Hubalde wants to see more contributions from the rest of the roster, particularly the bench players.
“Basketball is a team sport. We need everyone, Toper is going to be Toper, Mo [Tañedo] is going to be there, [Cole] Cruz-Dumont is going to be there, [but] we need someone else,” he explained.
Hubalde’s concern was evident in UE’s scoring distribution in that loss to UP. Although Lagat finished with 23 points and Tañedo added 11, no other UE player reached double figures.
Bench Production Is a Main Concern
More specifically, Hubalde identified bench production as one of his main concerns, even as he expressed satisfaction with the performance of his starting unit.
“Right now, the first group is okay, but I need my bench to deliver and do the next-man-up mentality,” he said.
Indeed, the Red Warriors need a collective effort that will complement the starting unit’s solid showing if they are to finally barge into the win column.
If it is any consolation for Hubalde and his Red Warriors, they will have more than enough time to work on things, as their next game is on November 4, when they take on the FEU Tamaraws.
