Advertisement

Still alive! UE beats UST, forces knockout match for last Final Four slot

Manila, Philippines-Bong Galanza of University of the East drives against the University of Santo Tomas during the UAAP season 77 at Smart-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on 16 September 2014. (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)

The University of the East survived another do-or-die game, this time against the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 78-73, Tuesday afternoon at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

With the win, the Warriors finish the elimination round at 9-5 to tie the NU Bulldogs and force a playoff for the last Final Four spot and the right to challenge the top team in the UAAP.

The Bulldogs and Warriors dispute the last semifinal slot on Saturday at 4:00 P.M. also at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Bong Galanza led UE with 17 points in the game but it was Paul Varilla who finished off the Tigers as he scored eight points in the final quarter to preserve UE’s victory.

Aljon Mariano, playing his last game in the UAAP, led the Tigers with 18 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Aside from Mariano, Paolo Pe and Kim Lo also ended their UAAP careers after the loss to UE.

As they had more pressure on them to win the game, the Red Warriors started out flat. They allowed UST to get their rhythm and build a 17-11 lead. UE got timely hits to cut the Tigers’ lead down to two, 17-15, in after the first ten minutes.

UE started the second quarter with an 8-0 run to take control of the game and they held on to a slim 36-35 lead at the half.

UE played sans import Charles Mammie in the first half. Head coach Derrick Pumaren said that Mammie violated team rules by arriving at the game venue only 30 minutes before tip-off.

Luckily for the Red Warriors, UST import Karim Abdul also played a bad game. He had two fouls and two turnovers in less than four minutes of action in the first half.

Mammie started the second half for the Warriors as his teammates voted for the coaches to allow the import to play. With their defensive anchor on the court, UE outscored UST 24-15 in the third quarter.

This UE run was aided as Abdul committed his fourth foul with still 4:37 left in the third. Back-to-back triples from Alberto and Galanza gave the Warriors a 58-45, their biggest lead of the ball game.

In the fourth quarter, behind the efforts of Abdul, UST tried one last comeback bid but it fell short as they committed several turnovers down the stretch

The Main Man: Galanza was once again money for UE. He scored 17 points and added seven rebounds to lead the Red Warriors.

Honorable Mentions: Alberto also played big scoring 15 points in the game while Roi Sumang chipped in 10 points, four rebounds, and four assists.

Game Turning Point: With their lead down to just 6 points, Varilla sored back-to-back baskets to reinstall a double-digit lead for UE at 75-65 with only 1:59 left in the game.

He Said It:

UE head coach Derrick Pumaren: We’ve been trying to stay alive and we have to dig deep one more time. I just hope we have that same fighting spirit against NU. The bench players have stepped up. Hopefully they step up again for us.

The scores:

UE 78: Galanza 17, Alberto 15, Sumang 10, Varilla 9, Javier 8, Mammie 7, Palma 4, Arafat 3, Guiang 2, Olayon 2, Jumao-as 1.

UST 73: Mariano 18, Daquioag 16, Abdul 13, Pe 9, Lo 7, Sheriff 6, Vigil 4, Basibas 0, Faundo 0, Gayosa 0, Lao 0, Subido 0.

Quarters: 15-17, 36-35, 60-50, 78-73.