UE got complacent in loss to Adamson, says Pumaren

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

University of the East head coach Derrick Pumaren couldn’t hide his frustration after the Red Warriors’ Final Four bid took a big hit following an upset loss to Adamson on Saturday.

“I don’t think we came ready to play. That’s what I was scared of after that win against UST. I kept warning them about it that we can’t get complacent against Adamson. We played well against UST and it’s like we don’t know how to play today,” he said.

With only two games to go, the Red Warriors need the stars to really align for them in the homestretch if they want to make it to the UAAP Season 78 Final Four.

“Six wins might make it, but we’re not in control of it, a lot of things can happen. NU and La Salle should get stuck at six for us to win. We just have to hope for the best, that’s the bottomline,” said Pumaren, whose team dropped to 4-8, a game and a half out of the fourth spot.

“As I’ve told them, we make a mistake, we’re out, and that’s what happened to us. We’re not in control right now. We’re not giving pressure to the other teams.”

Pumaren was disappointed with his team’s play in the third quarter where the Red Warriors were outscored in the first six minutes, 16-0, and trailed, 64-44.

“It’s up to them. I could only do so much. They’re the ones who will play,” said Pumaren. “They just blew the opportunity of putting pressure on the other teams. I’ve been harping on consistent basketball but so far, they have not stepped up to the plate and faced the challenge.”

“I’ve been asking them to do that all season and we haven’t done that so far.”