By NIKOLE JAVIER
University of the East head coach Jack Santiago expressed gratitude to the school’s community and fans after arriving in droves to provide the much-needed support in the Warriors’ desire to keep up with the league’s leaders in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament.
Even Santiago himself was surprised with the chants and cheers of the UE community.
“Nakakagulat nga kami when we had a run, meron pala kaming crowd na sumusuporta na sa amin. I want to thank them also. Kasi it’s a big help for the team na makita ‘yong suporta ng community,” said Santiago, who suited up for Mapua during his collegiate days.
The grizzled tactician, however, has tempered expectations after giving reigning champions University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons a huge scare in an 84-77 loss Wednesday, Oct. 19, which saw them snatch the lead at the half.
In a promising run that was cut short, Santiago believes they can take their game a notch higher in the second round which will offer them chances of making it to the playoffs.
“Of course, deep inside I’m happy with my boys, ‘yong effort nila nandoon. But of course, hindi kasi kailangan na ipakita mo sa kanila na nasa-satisfy ka na agad. I want my boys mag-level up sila. To be in the Final Four or to be in the top four team, you need to beat ‘yong ganitong klaseng mga team,” said Santiago.
“Nanalo kami doon sa big games namin before. Pero ito ‘yong isang acid test for us. At least ang maganda lang dito makita mo ‘yong effort and ‘yong probability na kaya namin. Maybe on the second round, baka makachamba kami.”
In front of the wildly-cheering UE community, the Red Warriors put heavy pressure on the Fighting Maroons with a 13-1 run in the second quarter and a late scare in the final minute of the regulation courtesy of CJ Payawal’s impressive 5-of-7 shooting from deep.
