UE’s Ethan Galang. Photo from UAAP Media

MANILA (UPDATED) — University of the East finally cracked the win column of UAAP Season 87.

The Red Warriors did so after they stunned Far Eastern University 56-51, during their men's basketball tournament faceoff at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

"The boys responded very well. It's so hard to play with a 0-2 record, but I just gave instructions to the boys that we should stick together. Even though we were down, I'm happy that we stuck doon sa game plan namin," said UE head coach Jack Santiago after the game.

The Recto-based team outlasted the Tamaraws in the low-scoring affair, and heading UE was Ethan Galang who made two crucial three-pointers to complete his 10 points.

"When we were down by three points, and despite him struggling the whole game, nilapitan ko siya. Binulungan ko na: If it's wide open, take a shot,'" said Santiago of the conversions of Galang in crunch time.

He hit the first of two at the 1:16 mark as this and Precious Momowei's free-throw erased FEU's 51-47 lead, while Galang's second trey with only 25 ticks eventually served as the game-winner for the now 1-2 Red Warriors. 

"As soon as I saw the ball going in, I was like: 'Okay, now I'm in my groove.' I feel like I can shoot anything I want, but my first make will always be something that can make me going," said the Filipino-American sniper. 

He then went on to ice the game with a pair of makes at the 15-foot-line to extend their lead to five, 56-51, right before the buzzer sounded.

But aside from the stellar outing of Galang, what Coach Jack was more proud of was how his veterans finally stepped up to his challenge in what he considered a must-win game for the Warriors. 

"At the end of the day, hindi kaya ni Precious [Momowei] manalo mag isa. We need the help of other players. At the end of the day, sila pa rin yung may big role dito sa team namin," he said.

"Lagi ko rin sinsabi sa mga boys na: 'I don't care if we lose a game, ang gusto ko lang is how we play the game.' The past two setbacks namin, we came very flat. Ang difference ngayon is we dictated right away, and we set the message to FEU that we wanted the win."

On the other hand, Sean Chambers remained winless in his coaching stint with FEU as they are now at 0-3.

Trying their best for the Morayta-based school was Jorick Bautista who had 16 points and rookie Veejay Pre's 13, but it was not enough as they were limited to only nine points in the last 10 minutes of action.

THE SCORES:

UE (56) – Wilson 10, Galang 10, Maga 9, Momowei 7, Lingolingo 7, J. Cruz-Dumont 4, Abate 4, Mulingtapang 3, Fikes 2, Robles 0, Spandonis 0, Jimenez 0.

FEU (51) – Bautista 16, Pre 13, Konateh 6, Alforque 5, Bagunu 5, Pasaol 3, Ona 3, Montemayor 0, Nakai 0, Daa 0, Jones 0, Duque 0.

Quarterscores: 9-14, 25-32, 38-42, 56-51