Mighty Warrior

We got the breaks and the players refused to lose.

ALEX Diakhite sparks a huge second half rally to lead UE to an 80-74 win. DAVID JOHN CUBANGBANG

Alex Diakhite uncorked a big second-half explosion to tow University of the East (UE) to an impressive 80-74 victory over favored Adamson University at the start of the second round of Season 82 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The bruising 6-foot-9 slotman from Senegal was unstoppable in the third and fourth periods as the Red Warriors waxed hot down the stretch to seize momentum and capture their third win in eight games.

Diakhite delivered 23 of his career-high 29 points in the second half on top of 13 rebounds and two blocks while Rey Suerte celebrated his birthday with a lot of luck, finishing with 26 points for the Red Warriors, who are looking to wage an oozing rally in pursuit of a Final Four slot.

UE head coach Bong Tan couldn’t help but marvel at the gallant performance of Diakhite, who patrolled the lanes for Diliman College in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League before suiting up for the Red Warriors.

Still, Tan credited the entire team for refusing to bow to Adamson, a squad handled by five-time UAAP champion coach Franz Pumaren.

“It was a team effort,” he said. “The coaches and the players did their parts. Even the bench players did well because we can’t expect anyone to step up, so it should always be a team play.”

“Whatever the coach says, whatever play he calls, the players just follow.”

He added that the players are now responding, giving them a fighting chance to compete against league heavyweights in the second round.

“I think the rookies and the new players came to play today,” Tan added.

“So I think the second round would be different for us.”

After a sluggish performance in the first half, 31-36, the Red Warriors stepped on the gas as Diakhite and Suerte caught fire and threatened to turn the game into a very close match.

From a 48-50 deficit, the Senegalese presided a 17-6 rally to erect a commanding 65-56 lead with 8:59 left in the fourth canto, giving them the momentum to unleash a strong finishing kick.

Although the Soaring Falcons tried to mount a comeback with Jerrick Ahanmisi slicing the lead into one, 69-68, Diakhite refused to give up, knocking down back-to-back baskets to jack up the deficit to six, 75-69, with only 3:28 left.

Then, Suerte sealed the victory with a one-hand floater for a 77-71 advantage with less than a minute to play.

UE active consultant Lawrence Chongson said their win should be credited to their never-say-die mentality.

“We got lucky today. We got the breaks and the players refused to lose,” Chongson said.

“We know that Adamson is a good team with a legendary coach. We beat them with our effort and desire to win.”

Lenda Douanga delivered 16 points and 17 rebounds while Jerom Lastimosa also had 16 markers, six boards and a block for the Falcons, who knotted a tie with their tormentors at 3-5.