UAAP Season 79 Preview: Red Warriors embrace dark horse tag

UE Red Warriors. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Head coach: Derrick Pumaren
Last Season: 6-8
Key holdovers: Renz Palma, Clark Derige, Paul Varilla, RR de Leon, Bon Batiller
Key losses: Chris Javier
Key additions: Alvin Pasaol, Andrey Armenion

Most coaches tipped University of the East as a team likely to make surprises, a label that the Red Warriors fully embrace heading into the 79th Season of the UAAP.

Still, however, team captain Paul Varilla acknowledged the fact that UE will have to do a lot of proving first.

“We’ll accept being the dark horse. [But we] still got to prove ourselves when the game comes,” said Varilla.

Last year, the Red Warriors exceeded expectations, finishing sixth in the standings at 6-8, just a game or two short of a possible Final Four entry.

With a more experienced team and better chemistry, UE aims to have a better stint with the semifinals in mind.

“I think the difference from last year to this year is that last year we had a lot more rookies and now our rookies are more experienced. With that being said I think we’ll have more of an edge because of the experience factor,” said Varilla.

“Our chemistry has grown. It’s gotten a lot better because last year with the rookies being a little bit shy. Now they’re more open. Now we’re more in unison I would say.”