Treasured Momowei (proper) and the Purple Warriors bulldoze their well past the Tigers. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
For the primary time in 9 years, College of the East (UE) can be gunning for a profitable streak heading into the second sport of the season.
The Warriors lastly received an opening-day match after practically a decade, leaning on large performances from 4 of its gamers to thwart the College of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigers and their returning champion coach, 80-70, on Saturday at the beginning of the UAAP Season 86 males’s basketball event at Mall of Asia Enviornment.
“I’m so pleased with the result of the sport. A minimum of our boys responded very properly,” stated UE coach Jack Santiago.
Some UE boys, nevertheless, responded higher than others.
Noy Remogat and Treasured Momowei delivered a pair of double-double performances at Mall of Asia Enviornment whereas rookie Jack Cruz-Dumont and Abdul Sawat supplied added firepower for the Purple Warriors, who received their season opener for the primary time since Season 77, a decade in the past.
Remogat, who was a bench participant of UE final 12 months, delivered 21 factors and 10 assists on high of three steals, whereas Nigerian student-athlete Momowei debuted with 17 factors, 15 rebounds, 4 blocks, and three steals.
“I simply confirmed that I’m not only a [bench player]. I may begin,” Remogat stated after the sport.
Cruz-Dumont was additionally spectacular in his first UAAP sport with 16 factors together with the clutch baskets that saved UST at bay. He additionally grabbed seven rebounds.
Sawat set the tone for the Purple Warriors, scoring 13 of his 15 markers within the first half, the place they opened up a giant gape to power the Tigers to play catch-up the remainder of the best way.
“Truly, we didn’t scout UST as a result of we didn’t see them play for the previous 10 months. I instructed my gamers, understanding coach Pido [Jarencio], he’s a profitable coach and a veteran coach additionally. They’ll come out robust and they’ll give us plenty of surprises,” stated Santiago.
Jarencio returned to a program he coached to a title in 2006, however one which was mired in a 1-13 document artwork the top of final season. A heavy recruitment buzz loaded UST with plenty of hope. However on Saturday, the Tigers picked up from final season, dropping their 14th straight UAAP sport.
The Purple Warriors led as many as 19 factors with 4:09 remaining within the third quarter behind the massive pictures of Remogat. However the Growling Tigers didn’t go down with out a combat, erasing a 71-54 deficit with a 13-4 run capped by Nic Cabañero’s lay-up and a three-point play from Mark Llemit to show it into an eight-point sport, 75-67, with 2:03 remaining.
“They made a run, I simply instructed the boys not to surrender and so they responded properly,” stated Santiago.
Remogat discovered Cruz-Dumont open because the latter nailed a clutch nook trey, 78-67, on the 1:20 mark.
UE unleashed a 22-9 begin however UST recovered with a 12-0 run to chop it down to at least one, 22-21, on the finish of the opening quarter. The Purple Warriors obtained their act collectively earlier than halftime with a 46-34 unfold and pulled away within the third.
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Cabañero led the Tigers with 18 factors and eight rebounds. Christian Manaytay had 15 factors and eight boards, whereas Migs Pangilinan added 10 factors from three triples.
