Warriors stay unbeaten in China cagefest

By Robert Andaya

Standings

           Group A
                                 W      L
UE-Philippines    2      0
Khabarovsk          2      0
Jilin                         0      2
Heilongjiang        0      2

            Group B
Malaysia               2      0
Liaoning              1       1
Jixi                          1       1
Vladivostok          0      2 

JIXI City, Heilongjiang — University of the East- Philippines continued its impressive showing in the 37th Promotion Cup international invitational basketball tournament, beating host team Heilongjiang Youth Team, 97-64, at the Jixi Convention and Exhibition Center.

Dylan Benedict Despi provided the firepower for the Red Warriors, who led from start to finish in upstaging their Chinese counterparts in front of a highly-appreciative home crowd enroute to their second straight win in the eight-team tournament.

Despi, a  prized recruit  from Bacolod Tay Tung High School, topscored with 16 points for the Chris Gavina-mentored Red  Warriors, who debuted with a snashing 104-77 win over the Jilin Northeast Tigers on opening day.    

Three other mainstays– Mark Joseph Cabero, Drew Jimenez and Cole Cruz-Dumont — also scored in double figures for the Tanduay Athletics-supported Red Warriors, who are seeing action in the week-long tournament as part of their preparations for the UAAP Season 88 starting next month.

Cabero added 12 points, while Jimenez and Cruz-Dumont contributed 11 points each for the Red Warriors, who led, 28-12, in the first quarter, 59-28 at halftime and  83-47 in the third quarter.

Also contributing to the Red Warriors’ cause were Kristoper Lagat  (nine points), Drayton Caoile (eight ponts) and Mariano Tanedo and John Abate (six  points each).

Gavina was visibly pleased with the Red Warriors’ performance, especially on the defensive end, against Heilongjiang.

“Today, we were really aggresive on the defensive side of the floor. We were able to apply our backcourt pressure and it really showed from opening tip. We were able to dictate and  influenced the type of shots we wanted them to take. We were able to convert on 22 turnovers that we created with our defense. That’s really the game plan,” said Gavina, who is  also hoping to lead UE to its first UAAP title since 1985.

The 46-year-old mentor, however, said there is still plenty of room for improvement.

“I believe we shot 16  of  25 from free throw line and I still feel like we can generate more points off assists. We still have to be more attentive towards details on our close out and not give up on those wide open shots,” added Gavina, who is also best remembered for handling the Taichung Suns in the T1 League in Taiwan in 2022.

Gavina, who replaced Jack Santiago  as UE coach only last February, said the Warriors’ biggest test will be against Russia.

“We’ll enjoy the win today. As I’ve said, it’s all about mindset.  We  have to be consistent, play defense and make sure not to allow a lot of open shots for the shooters of  Russia,” added Gavina, who is being assisted by former PBA player Paulo Hubalde, Melvin Reyes, RJ Argamino, Carlo Perigrino De Dios, and John Mari Quilang.

Up next for UE-Philippines is Khabarovsk State University of Physical Education-Russia, which also swept its first two assignments against  Heilongjiang  (86-65) and Jilin (85-73).

In Group B,  Malaysia leads the way with two straight wins over Liaoning University  (90-67) and Jixi Youth ( 101-41).

Lioaning and Jixi are tied at 1-1, while Vladivostok State University-Russia is 0-2.      

The Red Warriors’ trip to Jixi City is arranged by Armstrong Philippines, headed by Norman Gomez.

Last year, University of Cebu represented the country in the 36th edition of the competition.