Two booming triples from Ethan Galang lifted the University of the East Red Warriors to a 56-51 triumph over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, for their first win in the 87th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Galang’s treys came while the Warriors trailing, 48-51, in the final minute, and he found his marks in the last 1:16 and with 25 seconds to take the 54-51 edge.
With just 20.4 seconds left in the game, FEU tried to force another deadlock, but Jorick Bautista bungled two three-point attempts.
Galang’s two free throws in the ensuing play and in the dying second saw him tally 10 points.
UE’s first triumph for the season saw their win-loss record move up to 1-2 and climb to sixth in the standings.
“The boys responded very well. It’s so hard to play with a 0-2 record but I just gave some instructions to the boys to just stick together. Whatever happened, stick to the game plan. I’m happy that even though we’re down, nandoon pa rin kami sa game plan namin,” said Red Warriors coach Jack Santiago.
Gjerard Wilson, who led the comeback for UE, also scored 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field, while Precious Momowei had seven markers to go along with 12 rebounds, and two blocks.
