UE ends 30-game futility; UP advances

MANILA, Philippines — Seven hundred and forty days of agony, 30 stinging losses in a row.

At long last, the University of the East finally tasted a victory after clipping the wings of Adamson, 53-47, in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Red Warriors clamped the Soaring Falcons to only three points in the fourth quarter to pull through again after more than two seasons or since a 74-58 win over National U on October 26, 2024.

UE had three coaching changes since that time with Paulo Hubalde, who stepped in for resigned mentor Chris Gavina earlier this season, finally getting the job done despite being already eliminated at 1-10.

Later, University of the Philippines (9-2) kept its mastery of Ateneo (5-6) with an 82-74 verdict to clinch its eighth straight Final Four appearance - the longest active streak in the league.