UAAP 74: UE ends campaign with 68-54 win over UP

It has been a trying campaign for University of the East in the 74th UAAP men's basketball tournament but the Red Warriors managed to end their season on a winning note. The Red Warriors downed University of the Philippines, 68-54, Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum to snap a four-game slide and finish the season with a 3-11 slate for seventh place. UE finished sixth last year with a 3-8 mark. "We may be small but we always fight," said UE coach Jerry Codinera. "We find ways to be competitive." Biboy Enguio finished his collegiate career with 18 points, six rebounds, four steals and blocked two shots. Team captain Paul Zamar and Lucas Tagarda also ended their UAAP careers with a win. "I can't help but cry after the game because God gave us the win. This win is important to us because we are fighting for pride," said Enguio. Big man Adrian Santos and JM Noble added 12 points each for UE. The Red Warriors used a big scoring splurge in the second quarter to pull away from a 20-all deadlock and enjoy a 37-26 lead at the turn. "You can see how we play, they don't just give up. It was evident that we kept it close with the strong teams but sometimes it doesn't go our way," said Codinera. UP finished with a 2-12 slate to end up at the cellar for the third straight year. The Maroons cut that double-digit deficit to six in the fourth period but Roi Sumang and Enguio nailed back-to-back jumpers to pull UE out of harms way, 61-51. Miggy Maniego ended his UAAP career with 14 points as he kept the Maroons afloat in the first period. Mark Juruena had 12 points and seven rebounds. — JVP, GMA News

UE 68—Enguio 18, Santos 12, Noble 12, Sumang 8, Javier 8, Zamar 4, Casajeros 2, Tagarda 2, Duran 2, Sumido 0, Flores 0. UP 54—Maniego 14, Juruena 12, Gomez 6, Montecastro 5, Silungan 5, Gamboa 5, Wierzba 3, Romero 2, Mbah 2, Wong 0, Manuel 0, Gingerich 0. Quarter scores: 18-18, 37-26, 55-45, 68-54.