UE Red Warriors: A time for redemption?
From a mediocre finish last year, the University of the East Red Warriors are eager to redeem themselves this coming 76th Season of the UAAP, knowing that they have what it takes to contend for the title this time. The Recto-based squad, proud owner of 18 UAAP men’s basketball titles, only managed to win three games out of 14 in Season 75. But this year, the Red Warriors are looking to conquer the UAAP.
Fresh from winning the Fil Oil Cup crown just a couple of weeks ago, UE is now considered among the top contenders for the UAAP championship this season. After all, the Warriors bested UAAP heavyweights UST and NU in the pre-season tournament, to the surprise of many. They nipped the Growling Tigers in the semis, 77-75, and shocked the erstwhile-unbeaten Bulldogs, 81-68, in the finals.
So what turned things around for UE?
Without a doubt, the biggest difference from last year’s roster is the very intimidating presence now of the 6’8” behemoth from Sierra Leone, Charles Mammie. In the Fil Oil Cup, he amassed 14.2 points and 12.4 rebounds per game. But more importantly, Mammie gave UE’s gang of shooters the confidence to fire away. And because he has remarkable attack moves in the post, opponents are often times forced to double team on him, leaving the outside gunners all day to shoot. Mammie is an excellent passer from the post. He plugged the huge gape in the middle from last year’s team. Chris Javier, the versatile post player, was not big and strong enough to lock horns with the likes of Greg Slaughter and Karim Abdul in the paint last year. Now, Mammie can make things easier for Javier and company, especially now that Slaughter is no longer around in the UAAP. Of course, Javier was steady in the Fil Oil, with 8.2 points and 6.3 caroms per outing.
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Because of Mammie and Javier too, the wing players of UE began to thrive. Explosive guard Roy Sumang is more comfortable now being the team’s go-to-guy. In the Fil Oil, he posted norms of 16.5 markers, 5.6 assists, 5.3 boards and 1.3 steals per game. Although he has always been given the scorer’s role, there is less pressure on him this time because of the addition of Mammie, and so he can shoot more comfortably.
But the other Warriors are also worth mentioning. Jay-ar Sumido has proven to be a deadly sniper in the pre-season, leading UE in three-point field goal percentage with 36%, on 14 of 39 shooting in 11 games. Ralf Olivarez, JM Noble and Lord Casajeros have also made a good impression in the summer leagues, with a combined scoring output of 18.4 points per game. Adrian Santos provides more muscle inside the shaded area, averaging 7.3 rebounds in the Fil Oil. Former NCAA juniors stand out Jino Jumao-as has also seemed to find a home in UE after transferring from San Sebastian College and FEU. The former Staglet is an excellent slasher.
Surprisingly though, prized recruit Mario Bonleon of La Salle Greenhills pulled out of the school at the last minute due to personal reasons. He has seen action in nine Fil Oil games for an average of eight minutes, 2.8 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.
But credit must surely be given to new coach Boyzie Zamar, who took over the coaching chores from Jerry Codinera in the second round of Season 75. He was, after all, a part of the last batch that won the UAAP plum in 1985. In Zamar’s staff are veteran tacticians Bong Ramos, Bai Cristobal, Billy Reyes and Nomar Isla.
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The conquest of the Fil Oil Cup this year is certainly a big boost to the Warriors campaign in the UAAP after a dismal showing in 2012. It proved that they could compete with the very best in college basketball today. Their main weapons are speed, versatility, balanced offense and a lot of energy.
If UE’s outside guns are smoking and Mammie continues to lord over the other giants in the league, the Red Warriors sure have a shot at the title this season.
But this season looks pretty balanced, with five out of seven teams having almost equal chances of averting the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ quest for a sixth title, and coveting the prestigious UAAP diadem.
Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this post.
