MANILA, Philippines -- University of the East (UE) forward Alvin Pasaol could still afford to crack a joke, even after the Red Warriors suffered their third straight loss of UAAP Season 81 to drop to 1-7.

“Siguro, kakain na lang din ako ulit ng unli rice,” Pasaol quipped. “Kakain lang din ako.”

The Red Warriors were coming off a 79-59 mauling against De La Salle University, a game that saw them come to within three points in the third quarter, only to surrender 11 unanswered points to the Green Archers. From down 49-46, UE found itself trailing, 60-46 --and they never recovered.

“Hindi ko nga rin alam eh, anong nangyayari. Siguro 'yung ano, ‘yung run nila sa amin, siguro 'yun ang nagpa-tambak sa amin,” said Pasaol afterward.

The veteran tried to do all he can to keep his team in the game. He scored 10 points in the first period, and the Red Warriors were within striking distance, 21-16.

He also anchored UE’s run in the third period that got them back in the game, but ultimately, Pasaol could not match La Salle’s firepower by his lonesome. He finished with 22 points -- on 27 shots -- and grabbed 17 boards, but the Red Warriors were blown out.

• READ: Serrano, Caracut bust out to boost La Salle to joint third in UAAP 81

Still, Pasaol refused to let their loss and their poor record weigh him down.

“Siguro, effort pa kami ng kaunti,” he said. “Kaunti na lang talaga. Nakalapit na kami kanina, kaso parang nagpahinga kami. Pero still, good fight. Lumaban naman kami.”

He insists that he was not getting frustrated, even as their hopes of a Final 4 appearance drains away with every defeat.

“Kaya pa namin. Push lang namin ang sarili namin,” he said. “Gusto namin, ‘yung standing namin last season, lamangan namin ngayon.”

The Red Warriors had a 3-11 win-loss record in Season 81. They now have just six games left in their schedule to improve on that mark.

Pasaol is not losing hope that he and his teammates can get it done, even as they faltered to give him the support that he needed on Wednesday against La Salle.

“Sabi ko nga sa kanila, laruin niyo lang ang gusto niyong laruin. Andito lang ako sa likod niyo. Kung kailangan niyo ako, andito lang din ako,” he said.

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