UNIVERSITY of the East delivered a strong season-opening victory over University of Sto. Tomas, 80-70, in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.
The Warriors spoiled Pido Jarencio’s return as Tigers coach after nine years.
Rey Remogat recorded a double-double of 21 points and 10 boards on top of three steals to lead the Red Warriors.
The season hosts prevailed in a game of runs, with UE’s 8-0 run to start the game topped by 13 unanswered UST points at the end of the opening frame. But the Warriors refused to back down as their 15-point counter-run ignited what would be an insurmountable advantage from there on.
"Happy with the outcome of the game and on how the boys responded very well. Actually, we didn’t scout UST kasi alam niyo naman na tinago nila ‘yung team nila for the past ten months," UE head coach Jack Santiago said.
"Sabi ko lang sa kanila, knowing that Coach Pido (Jarencio) is a winning coach and veteran coach, they will come out strong and will give us a lot of surprises. They made a run but I told the boys not to give up and they responded well," he added.
UE’s foreign student athlete Precious Momowei had a breakout UAAP debut with 17 points and 15 boards, while Jack Cruz-Dumont stepped up in crunch time with 16 markers.
Meanwhile, Nic Cabanero dropped 18 points on 6-of-20 shooting to pace a crushing first loss for the Tigers.
UE’s mettle will be tested in its second assignment against UP as UST eyes redemption versus Adamson on Wednesday.
The scores:
UE (80) - Remogat 21, Momowei 17, Cruz-Dumont 16, Sawat 15, Wilson 6, Lingolingo 3, Alcantara 2, Galang 0, Tulabut 0, Maglupay 0, Gilbuena 0, Fikes 0, Langit 0.
UST (70) - Cabanero 18, Manaytay 15, Pangilinan 10, Calum 9, Laure 7, Llemit 3, Gesalem 3, Manalang 2, Crisostomo 2, Faye 1, Duremdes 0, Lazarte 0, Moore 0, Ventulan 0, Magdangal 0.
Quarterscores: 22-21; 46-34; 64-48; 80-70.
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