UE's Suerte adjusted easily to the UAAP

"Big time players make the big time shots."

This is what UE active consultant Lawrence Chongson said about Rey Suerte, who made back-to-back triples to deliver their first win in UAAP Season 82.

Suerte listed 31 points, with five of seven from beyond the arc, to lead the Recto-based squad in their first win against La Salle in five years. Prior to this game, Suerte already averages 20 points in the three games he played.

The UE scoring machine may be a new name in the UAAP, but he had been making a name for himself in other leagues in the past years.

He had been named twice as MVP in his previous collegiate league, the Cebu Schools Athletic Federation (CESAFI), where he played for the University of Visayas.

Suerte passed on his last playing year in UV and tried his luck in Manila, landing a place with the UE Red Warriors.

Adjusting to the UAAP was not really a big deal for Suerte. "Hindi naman nakakapanibago. Parehong basketball naman 'yun pero mas nae-expose ang player dito. Yung teams naman dun malalakas din," Suerte said after their win against the Green Archers.

With just one playing year left for UE, Suerte said one of his goals was to teach his younger teammates. "Gusto kong matulungan pa 'yung mga bata sa team namin para in the future madala nila 'yung team na ito sa other seasons," the UE gunner explained. — DVM, GMA News