ETHAN Galang showed no respect to the Far Eastern University defense, knocking down two crucial treys in the final 80 seconds to help University of the East earn a 56-51 breakthrough victory on Wednesday in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Without anything happening for the Red Warriors, the second-year gunner knocked down back-to-back treys from the left wing, the last being the go-ahead basket that pushed the Recto crew ahead by three, 54-51, with 25 seconds left.
UE's defense also did its part in the endgame, with Precious Momowei blocking Royce Alforque's drive before Jorick Bautista missed two three-pointers that could have forced overtime for the Tamaraws.
Galang then put the finishing touches by canning two freebies in their first victory after two consecutive defeats to start the season.
Fil-Am Red Warriors come up clutch
Gjerard Wilson sparked the Red Warriors' fourth quarter fightback, scoring six of his 10 points in the payoff period, while Galang had all but two of his 10 in crunchtime.
“I'm glad that the boys responded very well,” said coach Jack Santiago who heaved a huge sigh of relief upon entering the press room. “It's hard to play with a 0-2 record, but we just gave instructions to the boys that we stick together and what happens on the court, we stick with the game plan.”
READ: Jack Santiago demands underperforming UE vets to wake up
Unlike in their first two games, there was indeed the total team effort that Santiago was demanding this time around.
Rain Maga was a spark in the first half, scoring six of his nine to keep UE within striking distance.
Momowei needed not to put on such a heavy scoring load, as he held fort down low with 12 rebounds and two blocks to go with seven points and two assists.
And Jack Cruz-Dumont, though still in the hunt for his shooting, also contributed 11 boards and six assists to go with four points.
“I don’t care if we lose as long as we’re putting in the effort. And today, from the start, we started strong,” said Santiago as the Red Warriors finally chalked one in the win column.
It was another painful defeat for FEU which held an early 10-point advantage, but was frustrated down the stretch, going scoreless for the last 3:12 of the game.
Bautista’s costly misses also blemished his 16-point night, while Veejay Pre recorded 13 points, nine rebounds, and three assists as the Tamaraws dropped to 0-3.
The Scores:
UE 56 – Galang 10, Wilson 10, Maga 9, Momowei 7, Lingolingo 7, J. Cruz-Dumont 4, Abate 4, Mulingtapang 3, Fikes 2, Robles 0, Jimenez 0, Spandonis 0.
FEU 51 – Bautista 16, Pre 13, Konateh 6, Alforque 5, Bagunu 5, Pasaol 3, Ona 3, Daa 0, Montemayor 0, Nakai 0, Jones 0, Duque 0.
Quarters: 9-14, 25-32, 38-42, 56-51.
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