Warriors going for the big one

MANILA, Philippines - Having achieved so many firsts in their quest for a UAAP crown, the brave bunch of University of the East Warriors take a crack at immortality tomorrow behind an unheralded coach who has defied the odds.

Often criticized for his brand of play and the way he shuffles his players, UE coach Lawrence Chongson has proved his detractors wrong as he steered the Warriors to a series of improbable victories, including an emphatic 88-68 rout of the fancied Ateneo Eagles in Game Two of the UAAP finals to force a rubber match for this year’s crown.

“We have really achieved many firsts this season – like earning our first Final Four win in 11 years and first Final Four series win in 22 years. Now, it’s our first finals win in 24 years,” said Chongson, referring to their first victory in a championship series since beating the UST Tigers for the 1985 title.

“It’s really a humbling experience,” he said.

Unlike most coaches who would go for the intricacies of the games’ Xs and Os to win the big ones, Chongson has stuck to his simple but tested battle-plan – run-and-gun.

“I told my team that we should be the best in what people are criticizing us for,” said Chongson.

“All we can do is just try to get better in what we really know, if we’re run-and-gun, let’s play run-and-gun well.”

That style has given Chongson and the Warriors their first Final Four series victory since the format was applied 15 seasons ago by stunning the Far Eastern U Tams twice in the Final Four, 84-74 and 78-72, to advance to the finals.

By dismantling Ateneo in Game Two Sunday, the Recto-based school booked its first win in a championship series in 24 years.

Now, the Warriors are one win away from snapping the school’s 24-year long title drought.

“I hope we ended up winning the title. This would the first of the many firsts we have achieved this year that we’re going to cherish the most,” said Chongson.

The long-haired mentor, however, stressed the need for everyone to do what they’re asked to do.

“If we want to win the finals, everybody should play their roles, everybody should do their part,” he said.

Chongson also said the deciding game set tomorrow would define not just the players but the whole UE community.

“I asked the players, especially those graduating what’s going to separate you guys from the previous UE greats for the past 23 years,” he said. “So, let’s make a difference.