UAAP: Pumaren pushes squad for possible Final 4 appearance

The University of the East stayed in the hunt for a final four spot after a 72-59 victory over winless Adamson University, but UE head coach Derrick Pumaren was unsatisfied with the way his team played on Sunday.

The Falcons took control of the game in the first half behind the efforts of veteran Don Trollano, Jansen Rios, William Polican, and Dawn Ochea who provided the spark off the bench. The Warriors only turned things around in the second half, seizing the lead with a 9-0 run including a dunk from Charles Mammie.

"I don't think they came out to play tonight. They didn't play hard, especially at the start," Pumaren said.

"They were taking Adamson for granted and that's what I've been telling them. With the position we have right now, we cannot take any team lightly."

With the win, UE holds a 5-5 card for fifth place in the standings, just behind the National University whom they will face on Aug. 31.

"That will be a battle for positioning for us," Pumaren said.

In the first round, the Warriors absorbed a heartbreaking 57-55 loss to the Bulldogs after yielding to De La Salle University and Far Eastern University. They later lost to Ateneo De Manila University in overtime, only snapping their losing streak with a win against the University of Santo Tomas.

"We still have a chance but we cannot play the way we played tonight," Pumaren said.

"If that's the way we're gonna play against NU, the top teams, then we have to kiss the season goodbye." - RAF, GMA News