Pumaren rues UE’s selfish play in loss to UST

UE head coach Derrick Pumaren. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

University of the East head coach Derrick Pumaren did not mince words when his Red Warriors squandered their big lead and lost, 88-87, to a rejuvenated University of Santo Tomas Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We just showed our flashes of our brilliance tonight, we were there, but we were not going for the kill,” said Pumaren. “I would say, they’re still thinking of themselves instead of playing for UE.”

UE practically owned UST in the first half, even leading by as much as 15, 31-16, early in the second quarter.

Renzo Subido, however, caught fire and unloaded 20 of his career-high 26 points in the middle quarters as UST outscored UE, 30-17, in the penultimate period.

“We should’ve taken care of business, when we’re up, we simply ran away from what we were doing,” said Pumaren. “They thought the game was over and I kept reminding them that it’s far from over.”

Subido capped off UST’s comeback in the third quarter with back-to-back threes giving the Growling Tigers a 78-66 lead.

“The guards killed us, sila Subido, si [Marvin] Lee, and even si [Jon] Sheriff,” said Pumaren. “When I arrived this afternoon, I told them I’m worried about the guards.”

“I saw it last night, those guys will kill us, true enough.”

Sheriff and Lee backed up Subido’s heroics as they combined for 29 points.