Former UV cager Olivares helps UE cop Filoil crown

THE UNIVERSITY of the East Red Warriors proved yesterday that they are a team to be reckoned with come the latest season of the UAAP later this month.

They announced this in a huge way as they dethroned the National University Bulldogs, 81-68, to take the championship in the finals of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Preseason Cup at the Arena in San Juan City.

After years of futility against the best of the UAAP, the Red Warriors appear to have finally figured things out as they outscored the Bulldogs, 34-12, in the fourth canto to take their second title in this tournament. Not only that, they also broke the 21-game winning streak of NU in this competition dating back to last year.

At the helm of UE’s uprising was none other than former University of the Visayas (UV) standout Ralf Olivares, who scored a team-high 19 points. Spitfire guard Roi Sumang was also a huge thorn on the side of the Bulldogs with 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists while Charles Mammie, who was eventually named MVP, had 10 points and 21 rebounds.

NU was led by the 23 points, seven rebounds and five dimes of two-time UAAP MVP Bobby Ray Parks.

The Bulldogs seemingly had full control of the game as they took a 55-47 lead into the fourth.

But the Red Warriors had a full tank worth of gas left and used this to raze the deficit with an 18-2 run led by Olivares and Lord Casajeros./Correspondent Jonas Panerio