Warriors out to exact revenge vs Eagles

The UE Warriors will have vengeance in their eyes when they face the Ateneo Eagles in Game One of their best-of-three showdown for the UAAP-NCAA Final Showdown at the Araneta Coliseum.

The game is set at 3 pm. with the Warriors out to avenge their painful loss to the Eagles in the Final Four of the 65th UAAP season. Ateneo went on to beat four-time champion La Salle in the best-of-three final, 2-1, for its first crown in 14 years.

The Warriors, starring James Yap, enjoyed their hottest season in the UAAP this year but failed to go all the way despite a huge twice-to-beat advantage over the Eagles in the semis.

Jeck Chia emerged as the hero for the Eagles in the recent Final Four encounter when he canned in the clinching buzzer-beater from 17 feet.

Paul Artadi of UE, on the other hand, turned out to be the goat, missing and turning the ball over in the dying seconds.

"The pain is still there but we have to forget that," said UE coach Boyzie Zamar, hoping that the Warriors can put everything behind and try to beat the Eagles this time and redeem themselves.

"This is a whole new ballgame and we have to focus on our goal. We’re the underdog in the series because they have the experience. But we’ll do everything to win the crown," added Zamar.

The Eagles made it to the final of this benefit series for Bantay Bata 163 by winning all their three games in the semis while the Warriors emerged the second-best team at 2-1. San Sebastian, the reigning NCAA champion, closed out with a 1-2 slate while St. Benilde was winless in three outings.