WHEN will the dry spell end?
University of the East failed to advance to the Final Four for the 10th straight year of the UAAP last season, with Red Warriors consultant Lawrence Chongson readily admitting they had a forgettable campaign.
“Did I like our campaign last season? No. We missed the playoffs, ‘di ba? There were inconsistencies and lack of maturity,” Chongson told Malaya-Business Insight yesterday.
“There were a lot of distractions… not uncommon with UE teams these past several years,” he added.
Former UE coach Joe Silva resigned a day before the tourney got going and was replaced by Bong Tan, who unfortunately passed away last November due to aneurysm after he collapsed during a basketball exhibition game.
The Warriors wound up with a 4-10 record for seventh.
With the untimely demise of Tan, Chongson said he is the one spearheading the team’s practices.
The Warriors hits the ground running today in their bid to reclaim lost glory in the 83rd UAAP basketball tournament set to begin usually in September.
“As of today, ako pa rin (running the team’s practice) until further notice siguro,” said Chongson.
“Too early to tell (team’s outlook for next season). I just got back from my vacation. We’ll be resuming pa lang today.”
The Warriors lost one-and-done players Rey Suerte and Jed Mendoza, and playmaker Philip Manalang due to graduation.
Six-foot-9 Senegalese big man Alex Diakhite, Neil Tolentino, and Harvey Pagsanjan are expected to return to lead UE’s charge.