FINALLY, University of the East gets to eat.
Hungry for a breakthrough in UAAP Season 81, the Red Warriors did get the victory they were craving for, shocking Far Eastern University, 90-65, for their first win of the tourney on Sunday.
And Alvin Pasaol could not contain his joy as the Recto-based crew halted their misery after five games.
"Sobrang saya ko," he said as the supporting cast he badly wanted showed up to play at last. "Kailangan namin manalo para di kami maging 0-5. Kinailangan namin i-push yung isa't isa."
Despite UE's struggles, Pasaol never lost hope that eventually, his teammates would be up to the task in competing against the far more favored teams in the league.
"Doon sa last few games namin, nakukuha naman nila (yung dapat naming gawin) pero di nila masyado nashu-shoot yung bola. Sobrang laki ng confidence nila na kaya nila kasi laging sinasabi sa kanila ng mga coaches na kaya niyo, tiwala tayo na kaya nating manalo," he said.
That day was today.
For a change, Pasaol came off the bench and didn't really have to do it all for UE, gaining ample support to his all-around performance of 25 points, 13 rebounds, five steals, and two assists.
Guys like Jason Varilla (17 points, five rebounds, and two assists) and Philip Manalang (13 points, 12 assists, and four rebounds) did an amazing job in aiding UE's main man to complete the upset win.
And the win validates every sacrifice Pasaol has made, trimming down from his usual 101-kilogram playing weight to now at 92 kilograms, as well as buying in to the culture change enforced in this brand-new leadership under Silva.
For the do-it-all forward, he knows that this victory could only signal positive things moving forward for the Red Warriors.
"Sobrang laki ng maitutulong nito for the next games, lalo na kasi next na kalaban namin is UST. Mabuting nanalo kami ngayon para tumaas yung intensity level namin at confidence ng mga boys," he said.
But for now, Pasaol would like to enjoy this conquest, with the whole UE squad being treated for a victory buffet dinner at Cabalen in Mall of Asia Arena.
"Masaya kasi mag-buffet kami," he sheepishly said as his wish did come true.
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