Trailing for most of the game, the UE Red Warriors pulled off a thrilling comeback win against the FEU Tamaraws for their first win in UAAP Season 87.
Third time’s the charm for the University of the East.
After falling short in their first two games, the UE Red Warriors are on the board in UAAP Season 87 after pulling off the comeback win against the FEU Tamaraws, 56-51, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao on Wednesday, September 18.
Trailing 48-51, the Red Warriors tied the game after Fil-Am hotshot Ethan Galang’s booming three with 1:13 left in the fourth.
After a solid defensive possession on the other end, Galang then hit the go-ahead triple from the same spot to make it 54-51 for UE.
With just 20.4 seconds left in the game, Jorick Bautista, who had a stellar first half, missed two three-point attempts to tie the game again for FEU.
For good measure, Galang then sealed the win after calmly making both his free throws. He finished with 10 points, including the final eight that secured UE's first win, improving their team record to 1-2 and placing them at sixth in the standings.
“The boys responded very well. It’s so hard to play with a 0-2 record but I just gave some instructions to the boys to just stick together. Whatever happened, stick to the game plan. I’m happy that even though we’re down, nandoon pa rin kami sa game plan namin,” said Red Warriors head coach Jack Santiago.
Gjerard Wilson, who led the initial comeback for UE, also finished with 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field, Meanwhile, Precious Momowei had seven markers to go along with 12 rebounds, and two blocks.
UE will look to secure its second straight victory on Sunday as the Red Warriors face the defending champion De La Salle University at the Mall of Asia Arena, with tip-off set for 6:30 p.m.
Bautista paced FEU with 16 points, but only four of those came in the second half, leaving the Tamaraws at 0-3 and tied with Ateneo de Manila University at the bottom of the standings.
Rookie Veejay Pre contributed 13 points, nine rebounds, and three steals, while 18-year-old Gambian center Mo Konateh added six points, 17 rebounds, and three blocks in the loss.
The Tamaraws were also missing athletic wingman Cholo Anonuevo, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury and is listed as day-to-day.
FEU will continue its quest for its first win on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. against the University of the Philippines.