Pumaren pushes Warriors to end UAAP Season on high note

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

University of the East may be out of the Final Four contention, but head coach Derrick Pumaren wants his team to wrap UAAP Season 79 up on a high note.

“We’ll still fight, go for the win, we’ve been taking it one game at a time, and hopefully the long break will clear their minds,” said Pumaren after their 95-66 loss to De La Salle. “I don’t want to pressure them but we still want to finish this season on a winning note.”

UE was the first to get eliminated this season with a 2-9 record and three games left in their schedule. Adamson, University of the Philippines, and National U are battling for at least a playoff spot for the fourth seed.

University of Santo Tomas still has a mathematical chance for a semifinal spot.

The Warriors return to action against the Bulldogs on Saturday after a 10-day break and Pumaren is hoping not to see the same things from the last time they played.

“There are some players who did not compete, some competed, but the guys na inaasahan ko were not able to deliver, they’ve been falling sa expectations,” said Pumaren last October 26 after the loss to La Salle.

“That is very disappointing.”

Pumaren’s starters combined for a measly 13 points compared to the La Salle five who had 64.