UAAP: Grateful Red Warriors look to turn things around for UE after long-awaited win

742 days.

That was how long the University of the East waited before finally securing another victory in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament, as the Red Warriors defeated Adamson University, 53-47, on Saturday.

It was a long time coming, but for the Recto-based squad, the wait was well worth it.

And it took a former Red Warrior to help lead them back to the winning column.

“First of all, nagpapasalamat ako kay Lord sa binigay na panalo sa amin. I’ll give credit to these boys. It's a very, very long time coming. Sinabi ko naman sa kanila, just give your heart out,” said head coach Paolo Hubalde, who played alongside the likes of James Yap and Ronald Tubid during his collegiate days.

“It's the way I played back in the day and it's showing now. You're giving it all sa floor. Sobrang I have no words.”

For Mo Tañedo, who finished with 14 points in the victory, the breakthrough win was a special moment after enduring a difficult stretch with the team.

“It's kind of a surreal feeling, to be honest. Me and Toper [Lagat], we've been playing since last year so, just all the losses kind of build on us. And losing, I know you don't want to say it, but it's kind of been our culture, whether you like it or not. So, me and him, we've just been talking day in, day out, we’re just trying to uplift our teammates, uplift ourselves because we know it starts with us,” Tañedo said.

“If we don't have it one night or off, then we know our team's going to struggle. So, as long as we do our jobs, then we know that we can come out on top.”

Toper Lagat, who also finished with 14 points, echoed his teammate's sentiments and expressed his gratitude for the team's breakthrough victory.

“Firstly, super grateful ako. It’s our first win. Credits sa teammates, coaches, and staff who made it possible. Sobrang saya ko lang ngayon na makuha ang first win namin.”

With the losing streak finally behind them, Hubalde said the Red Warriors would use the victory as a foundation to turn things around and restore the program's former glory.

“Ever since I took over, everybody’s supportive of what we can do. I know it’s not guaranteed, but sinuportahan nila tayo all throughout. So I’m very thankful, and once nalaman namin paano manalo, magugutom na kami, sigurado. From here, we’re going to build from this win and hopefully magtuloy-tuloy ‘to. Hindi lang siguro this season, up to next season hopefully. ‘Yun lang naman gusto ko mabago sa UE — the way we played, how we play — maibalik lang ang glory days ng UE, ‘yun lang ang primary objective namin,” said Hubalde.