UAAP S81 Men’s Basketball Preview: University of the East Red Warriors

UAAP S81 Men’s Basketball Preview: University of the East Red Warriors

by rick olivares

UAAP S80 record: 3-11

Key losses: Mark Olayon, Clark Derige, Andrey Armenion, Jeremy Cruz, Allan Toribio

Additions: Jojo Antiporda, Allan Beltran, Ric Gallardo, Bryan Lacap, Jan Sobrevega, Jason Strait

Returning Player: Leo Guion

During last summer’s Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup, a coach from the UAAP remarked out loud to no one in particular but to all within earshot, “Ay, may tumatawag na ng play sa UE.”

Welcome to the University of the East, Joe Silva. Hope this experience works for you.

The proud and perennially re-building University of the East Red Warriors went through another coaching change. They plucked out two-time UAAP Juniors champion coach Joe Silva from Ateneo to Recto making him the first non-former Red Warrior to take the reins since Lawrence Chongson who is now comfortably serving as team manager. Joining him in the intriguing staff is Ton Brodett and Gian Nazario. Former star Paul Artadi is on board as an assistant as is Silva’s former player in Ateneo, Paolo Romero (who played for UP in college) who is the team’s strength and conditioning coach.

This represents a bold shift for UE as their coaches are all from either Katipunan or Taft. Good coaches, I must point out.

New outlook? Most definitely.

Although some habits are going to die hard.

During the summer, onwards, it was clear that the team was shifting from the one-man show that was Alvin Pasaol to a more team-oriented game. The buy in, in my opinion, was near unanimous. I say that because Pasaol, still the best player on the team, struggled with it. There is a system in place, but when it breaks down, you know the ball is going to Alvin Pasaol.

The thing is, he should struggle with it because he passes very well. But that is because of the previous years where he’d get the ball and do whatever the heck he wanted with it.

But if you ask me, the new system in place has allowed Rey Mark Acuno to shine. As did Chris Conner and Jason Varilla.

Now if Philip Manalang decides to play ball and eschew the roughhousing, UE will be a tough team to beat.

Make no mistake, UE is a work in progress. They will surprise teams though with a renewed commitment to defense. Hold on. But wasn’t this team that pressing machine in the past?

Sure, it was. But they were third worst in turnovers. And they were the worst in allowing field goals. And rebounds.

Now here are the ifs….

If Mark Maloles can reprise the role of Ateneo’s Anton Asistio where he picks his spots and bombs away. If Jason Strait find the consistent confidence to play. If Brian Lacap bring that fire he showed when he was with Mapua. If Jojo Antiporda -- who did not play like a rookie during the summer -- can bring it under the bright lights. If Ric Gallardo can play with the manic energy he showed when he with the Perpetual Help Altas three seasons ago (his final year with the Perps, he was listed a person missing in action during games). If Wil Bartolome can raise the level of his game (his play dipped as Acuno played better). If this team buys into the system and sticks to it.

Then UE will compete.

Even if they don’t…. this year is rebuilding in terms of team philosophy and manpower. They are stocking up on Team B and looking to unveil their foreign player as well.

Now only then can we say if the sun is finally rising in the east.