UE coach Pumaren upbeat ahead of 'finals' vs. UST

MANILA, Philippines – Thanks in part to Alvin Pasaol's record-setting performance against De La Salle University last Wednesday, University of the East coach Derrick Pumaren is optimistic that the Red Warriors can finally book their first win of UAAP Season 80 on Saturday.

Pasaol etched his name in the league's record books with a 49-point performance against the Green Archers, becoming the first UAAP player to breach the 40-point mark since 2002. However, it was not enough as La Salle still claimed a 106-100 win, sending UE to its sixth consecutive defeat.

UE coach Derrick Pumaren jokingly referred to their game against UST on Saturday as "the finals." Both teams are winless in 6 games. Arvin Lim, ABS-CBN Sports

For Pumaren, however, UE's game against La Salle marked the first time all season that he saw an inspired effort from the Red Warriors. Pasaol, of course, was on fire all game long, but UE also rallied from a 25-point deficit in the fourth quarter and even came as close as six points late.

"Even though we lost, I'm really proud of the way we played," Pumaren said on Wednesday night. "The team that I've been missing noong first five games namin, I saw it today."

"We're down by 25 points, I think that was at 100-75, and I told them to dig deep, that we have got to get something really positive out of this game," he added.

Author: Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News
Full Article: http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/10/06/17/uaap-ue-coach-pumaren-upbeat-ahead-of-finals-vs-ust