John Abate and the UE Red Warriors celebrate their win against the La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament. – MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Lady Luck has blessed University of the East coach Jack Santiago.
Coach Santiago cited a revamped lineup that was fortunate enough to acquire three promising guards as one of the reasons for the Red Warriors’ surprisingly strong start to the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
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The additions of John Abate, Rainer Maga and Welo Linglingo come at a time when UE need to fill the huge hole left by the departure of former star player Ray Remogatto.
Schedule: UAAP Season 87 Basketball
“I just had to fill the hole that Lemo Gatto left, but the truth is, I was lucky to have the guys that I have with me now, the guards,” Santiago, a longtime assistant coach at La Salle, told Inquirer Sports after UE’s 75-71 win over defending champion La Salle on Sunday.
“I never expected a security guard like this to come for me.”
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If there is one match where UE can prove they can keep up with the best teams, it will be against the Green Archers.
UE coach Jack Santiago. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
UE’s guard-heavy lineup gave La Salle all sorts of problems with Abate, Ringo Ringo and Maga taking turns making big plays for the Red Warriors.
Abate finished with a team-high 20 points on 3-of-3 shooting from 3-point range, while Ringo Ringo added 18 points with a 3-pointer. Maga was only able to score seven points but had three key steals and played a key role in handing La Salle its first loss of the season.
READ: UAAP: UE hands La Salle first loss in men’s basketball
“Maga was suspended for a year, but I saw him play outside and saw his potential. Welo was from the provinces, but I brought him over because I knew he had the ability to win big games,” Santiago recalled. “John came from UST. UST scouted him, and I don’t know why, but he called me and said he was willing to transfer. I saw his potential so I asked myself, ‘Why not?'”
“Most of the people I’ve recruited happen to be security guards, but to be honest with you, they just got lucky and came to me and I just make the most of them.”
So far, Santiago has been able to get the most out of his small-ball roster, with the Red Warriors currently sitting at 2-2.
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