UE Red Warriors achieved some momentum before facing defending champions De La Salle Green Archers on the weekend.
The UE Red Warriors will be riding the high of a come-from-behind win when they face the league-leading DLSU Green Archers in their next assignment in UAAP Season 87 on Sunday.
UE, after absorbing losses in their first two games of the season, got themselves on the board on Wednesday when they rebounded from an early deficit against the FEU Tamaraws in a battle of winless teams.
Ethan Galang found the target late in the ball game as he helped the Red Warriors with clutch baskets to take the win against FEU, 56-51.
After the game, UE head coach Jack Santiago was delighted not only because they finally got the win – but also because of the way that the team played to get the victory.
"Yeah, laging [sinasabi ko] sa mga boys na I don't care if we lose the game, ang [tinitignan] ko lang is how we play the game.” Santiago said.
“So the past two setbacks namin if you notice, we came there very [flat], [yung] first quarter namin. Tumatrabaho lang kami nang third and fourth quarter but ang difference is we started very strong… We dictated the game right away and we said the message to FEU that we want to win."
More important than starting out strong was their finishing kick, as Galang hit back-to-back three pointers late in the clock that put the Red Warriors permanently ahead of the still listless FEU Tamaraws.
Already getting the monkey off of their back with the gutsy victory, Santiago hopes it can inspire more effort from his team moving forward.
As they sport a 1-2 record, Santiago’s Red Warriors will go against the odds to make it a win streak when they face Kevin Quiambao and the Green Archers.
Going up against an undefeated team with a champion mindset, Santiago will need his players to respond similarly to how they did against the FEU Tamaraws.
"Well, I hope this game will give us more intensity and aggressiveness, especially we're going to play the number one team, which is La Salle, on Sunday.” he said.
“So, ngayon we'll see [how] my players will respond again."
The Green Archers are heading into the David vs. Goliath-esque match with a 3-0 record.
UE-La Salle tips off in the curtain closer on Sunday at 6:30 p.m., at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.