Red Warriors subdue Falcons to keep Final Four hopes alive
With Sierra Leone native Charles Mammie asserting himself at will in the second half, host University of the East repeated over eliminated Adamson, 72-59, on Sunday afternoon to put its UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball title campaign back on track at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
After a so-so outing in the first half, the 6-foot-8 African import made his presence felt on both ends as he finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds to help preserve a pair of breakout performances from forwards Bong Galanza (20 points) and RR De Leon (12 markers), who provided the needed offensive punch in overcoming a lackluster outing from star guard Roi Sumang.
More than asserting their mastery over the free-falling Falcons, who they beat 99-72 in their initial meeting last July 19, the Red Warriors also bounced back from a stinging 73-78 setback at the hands of pace-setting Ateneo last Wednesday while improving their record to 5-5 overall, good for solo fifth.
Adamson dropped its 10th straight outing this season–and 12th consecutive overall since last year.
However, the Falcons gave the Red Warriors all they could handle.
With Don Trollano, Jansen Rios and William Polican taking turns, Adamson jumped the gun on UE and seized control in the early goings, even taking a seven-point lead before settling for a slim 34-33 cushion at the break.
Then the Red Warriors came out of their dugout strong as they opened the third canto with nine straight points, capped by RR de Leon’s baseline jumper.
The Falcons, with Trollano doing what he does best, kept within striking distance and, thanks to the exploits of center Dawn Ochea, pulled within 48-50 at the start of the payoff canto.
Unfortunately for them, the Red Warriors drained three straight triples in a decisive 11-5 exchange, enabling them to take command anew and hold off the Falcons’ fightback behind Mammie.
The Main Man: Hulking Charles Mammie flexed his muscles just in time as he anchored the Red Warriors’ attack in the second half, pumping in all of his 12 points while hauling down 10 rebounds.
Honorable Mentions: Ably filling up the scoring slack from a struggling Roi Sumang were forwards Bong Galanza and RR de Leon, who teamed up for 32 points on 13-of-22 shooting from the field on top of seven rebounds.
Game Turning Point: After a Dawn Ochea putback pulled the Falcons within 48-50, the Red Warriors hit their stride from beyond the arc, hitting three straight triples that allowed them to restore order and gain a 61-53 edge before Charles Mammie put on the finishing touches.
He Said It:
UE coach Derrick Pumaren: We still have a chance to make it to the Final Four, but we have to play better. I don't think the guys came out to play. They didn't play hard, especially at the start. They were taking Adamson for granted and that's what I'm telling them.
The scores:
UE 72 – Galanza 20, de Leon 12, Mamie 12, Jumao-as 9, Sumang 8, Varilla 4, Arafat 4, Alberto 3, Javier 0, Guiang 0, Olayon 0, Palma 0.
AdU 59 – Trollano 18, Ochea 12, Rios 9, Polican 9, Monteclaro 3, Inigo 2, Villanueva 2, Garcia 2, Butron 2, Donahue 0, Barrera 0, Nalos 0, Aquino 0, Gumtang 0, Baytan 0, Pedrosa 0.
Quarterscores: 13-15, 33-34, 50-46, 72-59.
