Photo from Filoil Flying V Sports Facebook account, by Raffy Dela Peña.
MANILA, Philippines – University of the East debuted in the 2013 Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup with an 81-62 rout of Cebu’s Southwestern University Wednesday at the Arena in San Juan.
The Red Warriors continued their winning roll – which started from the second round of UAAP season 75, then the University Games last year – up to the Filoil Pre-Season Cup.
“Everyday kaming nag-p-prepare, kahit Filoil pa lang. Gusto namin maibalik ang UE sa final four. Sawang-sawa na kaming matalo,” said star guard Roi Sumang.
Sumang picked up where he left off from the last UAAP season as a prolific scorer — churning out 21 points, six rebounds, three assists and steals.
Led by Sumang, the Red Warriors — the relatively smaller squad in the match up as the Cobras tote three burly Cameroonians — jumped the gun early, posting 11-0 lead.
Exploiting its advantage in the open court, UE continued to dictate the pace until the lead ballooned to as big as 24 points on a layup by Adrian Santos late in the fourth.
Santos added 16 points and six rebounds, who admitted that he was also fueled by his desire to help UE return to the final four — or even further.
For head coach Boyzie Zamar, getting over the long drought is the battle cry of the Red Warriors who got key recruits like Gino Jumao-as and Mario Bonleon.
“Honestly, the push is there. 2010 that was the last time nag-final four, yung 2008 yung last time nag-finals. It’s been 28 years since we last won a championship,” said Zamar.
The Cesafi champions SWU, meanwhile, continued to struggle with protecting the ball as it absorbed its second loss. The Cobras, this time, committed a whopping 31 turnovers.
Monbert Arong and Fabrice Siewe were the only players from SWU who finished in double digits with 12 and 11, in that order.
The scores:
UE 81- Sumang 21, Santos 16, Casajeros 14, Noble 10, Olivarez 8, Hernandez 4, Sumid 3, Javier 2, Jumao-as 2, Alberto 1, Flores 0, Bonleon 0, Olayon 0, De Leon 0, Galanza 0.
SWU 62 – Arong 12, Siewe 11, Guillena 8, Ortega 7, Aboude 7, Snajo 6, Bregondo 4, Panerio 3, Bautista 2, Pajantoy 2, Goloran 0, Otida 0, Holper 0.