Red Warriors upset Bulldogs

As they stay alive

Nailing the team's first victory, the pay-off period became too emotional as team captain and highest marker Paul Zamar slid unto his knees after seeing the lead in favor of UE at 72-71 over the National University on their last outing Saturday for the first round of the 74th UAAP basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Down by five at 66-71, guard Ebrahim Enguio secured a double empowering the locals to catch up as forward Adrian Santos locked the game at 72 after two doubles leaving the Eric Altamirano-mentored squad frozen at 71. NU's top rookie Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. came in as a savior but spoiled the Bulldogs' chances when he failed to set a point with his free throws, two seconds remaining. UE hit a 44.3% field goal compared to NU's 41.1% after two quarters ending with a tie. Enguio catered 11 markers in the last canto trimming a ten point lead gap, 58-68, with a double and triple, three minutes left in the game clock. Santos and Shej Sumang together pursued on a give-and-go, as John Noble completed a three-point play to cut NUs lead in just two and half minutes. "We proved it wasnt an individual effort [that won us thegame], said the articulate Zamar, who lost steam in the fourth quarter after catching fire from the field. I asked coach to take me out when I hit a dryspell, shared Zamar, as he let his teammates do the demolition job instead. Zamar clipping 20 points, 6 boards and a steal dictated the second canto's tempo pulling off 13 markers ending the first half with a deadlock, 41 all. "I felt like I'm a rookie having my first win this season 74. I'm happy that Enguio, Noble and Sumang step up," said Zamar. Head coach Jerry Codiera felt overwhelmed as he made a win to UE not by chances but because of the improved teamwork of the squad. "Iba ang UAAP but finally we played a team concept. We will be all out on the next round," said by Codiera. The scores:

UE- 72 Zamar 20, Enguio 19, Sumang 10, Noble 9, Javier 4, Santos 4, Sumido 2, Flores 2, Duran 2, Tagarda 0. NU-71 Parks 23, Ignacio 16, Mbe 13, Labing-isa 7, Celiz 6, Alolino 2, Khobuntin 2, Singh 2, Villamor 0, Neypes 0, Terso 0. Quarter scores: 18-26, 41-41, 54-54, 72-71

Monique Ann A. Tiongco is the Sports Assistant of the UE-Dawn and enjoys not only sports but as well as her accounting studies at the University. For inquiries and concerns, follow me on facebook : http://facebook.com/monatio See you at the ball games!