The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
As part of its continued buildup for the coming UAAP season, the University of the East-Philippines is bringing its acts to the 37th “Promotion Cup” international invitational basketball tournament scheduled Aug. 12-16 in Jixi City, Heilongjiang Province, China.
To be handled by former PBA coach Chris Gavina and team manager Jean Alabanza, the Red Warriors will battle for top honors against select teams from China and other Asian countries.
The UE Red Warriors’ trip to China is arranged by Armstrong Philippines and supported by Tanduay Athletics and the UE community.
“This is another good opportunity for the UE Red Warriors to represent the country,” said first-year coach Gavina, who also served as coach of both Mahindra/Kia and Rain or Shine in the PBA from 2017-2021.
“I expect a high-level of competition there (China). Playing against bigger teams is a big challenge. Having coached in Taiwan the last two years, I know mas mabilis ang pace kapag international play, mas physical. Talagang mag-a-adopt pa kami dun,” explained Gavina, who also called the shots for the Taichung Suns in the T1 League in Taiwan from 2022 -2023.
“I’m hoping to build our team chemistry as well,”added the 46-year-old mentor, who holds a strength and conditioning coach certificate at the Institute of Sports and Science in the United States, referring to the Warriors’ third major tournament during the off-season.
Alabanza said the China tournament is expected to boost the confidence of the players before the UAAP season next month.
“We have a new team, with new coaches this year, so this is a good gauge to see how much the players have bonded in the last few months. That’s why we want to join as many tournaments as possible. It’s very important na makapaglaro sila together in another country. Wala silang ibang kasama dun kaya malalagay sila sa magagandang mga challenges. Makikita natin kung paano sila lumaban. Makikita natin how they will compete, and stand up for each other,”added Alabanza.
“Yun mga ganitong tournament na hindi mo kilala yung mga kalaban, it’s really a good experience, a good opportunity to play in another country. We’re hoping to see these foreign teams compete and learn. And we’re looking forward sa bonding ng mga players dun. That will help them a lot sa darating na UAAP season.
Leading the Red Warriors’ campaign are team captain John Abate, Mark Joseph Cabero, Cole Cruz-Dumont, Nurjadden Datumalim, Dylan Benedict Despi, Ronjie Go, Jhondrew Jimenez, Kristoper Lagat, Vlair Christopher Lingolingo, Reynaldo Malaga, Nicolo Alfonso Mulingtapang, Keian Cedric Spandonis, Mariano Tañedo, and Drayton Caoile.
Both Gavina and Alabanza thanked their sponsors for their continued support to the team.
Joining Gavina and Alabanza in the coaching staff are former PBA player Paulo Hubalde, Melvin Reyes, RJ Argamino, Carlo Perigrino De Dios, and John Mari Quilang.
UE is in the midst of its preparations for the UAAP Season 88 scheduled to begin on September, 2025.
Last week, members of three UE men’s basketball championship squads met with the current team preparing for Season 88 at the school’s new gym at the Lualhati Bldg.
.Allan Caidic, who led UE’s title runs in 1982, 1984 and 1985 and won three season MVP awards, thanked the school for honoring the Red Warriors’ achievements and contributions to the storied basketball program.
Also present were coach Jimmy Mariano, who was instrumental in the Red Warriors’ last two UAAP championships (1984 and 1985), and players Jerry Codinera, Boycie Zamar, George Ella, and Godofredo Lim Uy Jr.