UAAP Season 80 Preview: UE aims big after ‘disappointing’ run last season

Coach: Derrick Pumaren
Last Season: 3-11 (7th Place)
Holdovers: Alvin Pasaol, Philip Manalang, Mark Olayon
Additions: Mark Maloles
Key Losses: Bonbon Batiller, Edgar Charcos, Paul Varilla

University of the East had a failed campaign last year, finishing at the bottom of the standings with only three wins to show.

But from the rubble of the past season is where Pumaren hopes the Red Warriors will come out of as they aspire to go deep this time around.

“It was a really disappointing season for us last year,” Pumaren said.

“We are looking forward for a better performance this coming season and we’re hoping that the guys I’m relying on to deliver will deliver this time,” he said.

Pumaren is putting Alvin Pasaol under the spotlight as the 6-foot-3 forward will be front and center in UE’s charge this season after a promising showing last year

“I expect him to carry the load for our team. He will be our leader for this season. He played well last season. In the first three to four games, he was still adjusting, but this season, I expect him to have a full blast right from the start,” he said.

But it’s not just about Pasaol as the Red Warriors will also have guard Philip Manalang and team captain Mark Olayon giving Pumaren enough reasons to think that his team would be no pushover.

“We are there. We’re getting there. As I’ve said, of course I’d be lying if we are not looking at the Final Four. We’re not just there for participation, but the objective right now is to better our performance last season because we disappointed the UE community,” he said.

“That’s what I’m looking forward. And the team knows that. We are looking forward and hopefully, we’ll just play hard and compete with other teams.”