Are you in the game?!

This must be the most frustrating and devastating defeat for the University of the East Red Warriors basketball team and for the UE community in general. After a flawless stint in the elimination round (14-0), the Red Warriors suffered back-to-back loses in the best of 3 finals against the Green Archers. The Archers snatched the UAAP season 70 crown via a 73-64 victory.

It’s a heartbreaking moment for UE’s head coach Dindo Pumaren, being beatin by his elder brother. “I won several championships in the past but it is bittersweet for me because I know now how it feels to beat your brother,” said Pumaren, also a Quezon City councilor. “If I can share half of our trophy, I can give it to UE because they also deserve it.”

I think, the 21-day break for the Warriors wasn’t healthy for the teams mentality and emotional status. While La Salle on the other hand, after squeeking past the best of 4, gained superb confidence going into the finals. The Warriors weren’t able to overcome their fate in game 1 of the finals were they bowed to the Archers,63-64. The Warriors had 21 turnovers in the 2nd game compared to their 31 in game 1. But UE gave up 28 fouls, allowing the Archers to visit the line for 27/36 shots. La Salle only gave up 18 fouls the entire game, translated into 5/14 shooting from the free throw line. This only shows that the Warriors were unable to establish their inside game.

TY Tang, Cholo Villanueva, and Javee Casio proved to everybody that more than talent and skills, experience is a vital element in winning championships.

The scores:

DLSU (73) – Casio 17, Villanueva 14, Maierhofer 11, Tang 8, Co 6, Barua 6, Malabes 5, Cua 2, Mangahas 2, Walsham 2, Atkins 0, Ferdinand 0.

UE (64) – Borboran 12, Lee 12, Gregorio 11, Cañizares 8, Martinez 8, Arellano 5, Espiritu 5, Fampulme 3, Lingganay 0, Bandaying 0, Llagas 0, Thiele 0.

Congrats to DLSU for grabbing the crown and congrats to UE for a good fight.