UAAP: University of the East upsets final-four hopeful La Salle

MANILA, Philippines – Reeling from a deflating 40-point setback last week, University of the East vented its ire and reaped a stunning 74-69 upset of De La Salle University Saturday in the 74th UAAP men’s basketball tournament.

From a defenseless showing against National University, 91-51, the Red Warriors showcased their firepower and gunned down the under-manned Green Archers for their second win this season.

“I told them that it doesn’t matter how big the loss was, it’s just a loss. As long as we get back again,” said UE head coach Jerry Codinera, whose squad has seven losses for seventh place in the standings.

And UE proved that its wards could step up as Paul Zamar and John Noble came up with significant contributions even as both shone  in the telling fourth quarter assault.

Noble, who had 16 points, uncorked a dagger of a long jumper from the right wing off a gutsy kick out pass by Zamar, who had a game-best 19 points, which virtually severed La Salle’s chances with 40.2 seconds remaining.

The Warriors streaked to a 13-point advantage, 65-52, on a power move by Christopher Javier which followed up Noble’s four-point burst early in the fourth quarter.

UE pounced on the loss to injuries of La Salle’s Luigi Dela Paz, who collided with Maui Villanueva in a play for a bruised thigh, and wiry center Yutien Andaya, whose right knee buckled as he was going for the shot, in the first half.

Andaya, whose knee seemed to have popped out while he was driving to the basket with 1:08 in the first quarter, had to be rushed to the hospital after the game for further observation.

Burly center Norbert Torres finished with 12 points while Joshua Webb had 11 in a losing effort as La Salle dropped its fifth assignment with four wins.

The Green Archers hit a dry spell to open the fourth quarter before LA Revilla and Webb opened up the scoring which propelled them closer to the Red Warriors, 64-70, before Noble’s long two.