IN the midst of its longest win streak in a decade, coach Jack Santiago stressed that University of the East is still a work in progress.
It's a fact that's as clear as day for the mentor even as the Red Warriors enjoy some level of success this UAAP Season 87.
"I consider my boys still young pa rin. Marami pa rin akong mga batang players," he said even after improving to 3-2 last Saturday.
Santiago is well aware of the pitfalls that young squads encounter especially after a huge win over powerhouse teams like La Salle.
But to his delight, there was no room for complacency for the Recto crew as evidenced by their 57-51 triumph over National University on Saturday.
READ: UE stretches streak to three after warding off luckless NU
"I’m so happy that the boys are starting to have that character, that winning character," Santiago said.
"Yun yung fear ko talaga na coming off of a big win against the number one team, kinakabahan talaga ako sa next game namin na baka maging complacent yung mga bata. But I’m happy na we did not."
What makes this current Red Warriors tear impressive is that they're doing it with support from all around.
From Precious Momowei's stabilizing presence to their bumper crop of role players in John Abate, Wello Lingolingo, Rain Maga, and Ethan Galang, everyone has been ready to step up when their number gets called.
And as wins continue to pile on, so does the pressure to deliver.
UE has not reached the Final Four since 2009, the longest active drought in the league, and for once, the red-and-white feel like they have a legitimate shot at making it through.
However, there's still a lot of basketball to be played – two in the first round and the rest of the second round – and Santiago understands that guarding against complacency is one thing in the equation. They also have to be consistent on the court.
"Hopefully itong nakuha naming three wins na to will bring us to the Final Four. But of course, we cannot afford to relax," the coach said.
The first of that will be on Wednesday as UE takes on a struggling Ateneo side at 6:30 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"They’re a very strong team," remarked Santiago, believing that the Blue Eagles are better than what their 1-4 record suggests.
In the first game, undefeated University of the Philippines (5-0) guns for its sixth straight win when it plays University of Santo Tomas (3-2) at 4:30 p.m.
The Fighting Maroons are coming off a big 69-57 triumph over Adamson where they rallied from a horrid 31-9 start, flipping the script to remain unblemished.
Meanwhile, the Growling Tigers look to rebound from their 88-67 defeat to La Salle as they seek for an upset and solidify their case as a dark horse.
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