Super Sumang strikes again for UE
Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how tall you are, but how tall your game is.
That’s exactly what diminutive guard Roi Sumang proved Thursday night, sinking a clutch lay-up with 11 seconds left to help University of the East complete a thrilling, come-from-behind 68-67 victory against University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 76 men’s cage action at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Standing a mere 5-foot-8, the Tondo native guard canned 12 of his 20 points in the payoff period, capped by the eventual game-clinching lay-up against Tigers Ed Daquioag and import Karim Abdul, then the Red Warriors came through with a defensive stop in the stretch to leave the Growling Tigers stunned.
Aside from avenging its 77-88 defeat last July 13, UE also notched its fourth straight victory and fifth overall to gain a share of second spot with idle National University.
UST, which led 58-47 into the payoff period, suffered its second straight loss and fourth overall in eight starts, slipping into a tie with reigning five-time champion Ateneo and La Salle.
The defeat was a double whammy of sorts for the Growling Tigers, who lost forward Aljohn Mariano to a left ankle sprain midway in the third canto.
Going down the drain with UST’s setback was the 6-foot-6 Abdul’s monstrous outing of 23 points and 20 rebounds.
The Main Man: Pushed to the limit, UE knows exactly who to turn to: Roi Sumang.
The 5-foot-8 playmaker took matters into his own hands in the fourth canto, pumping in 12 big markers including the game-winning scoop layup against two UST defenders with 11 seconds left to play.
Gladly embracing anew his role as the team’s go-to-guy, Sumang didn’t disappoint coach Boyzie Zamar.
The unflappable UE playmaker initially drove past defender Ed Daquioag then managed to slip through the outstretched arms of Abdul for the go-ahead bucket that eventually propelled them to victory.
Honorable Mention: Charles Mammie showed what UE lacked in its first meeting with UST.
Although the Cameroonian Abdul won their individual match-up, the hulking 6-foot-7 Sierra Leone native still had the last laugh as he finished with 10 points and a team-high 15 rebounds.
Game Turning Point:
Although the 6-foot-4 Mariano was watching helplessly from the sidelines, UST still took a 58-47 lead into the fourth before Sumang sparked a 10-0 blast to bring life back to UE.
With the Tigers enjoying a 67-64 lead courtesy of Abdul’s made freebies, the Warriors muffed several chances until Sumang scored a breakaway lay-up off a Gino Jumao-as feed, pulling them to within one with 20 seconds left.
The victory was still in UST’s grasps but Ed Daquioag committed a costly turnover as he threw a strong cross-court, inbound pass to Kevin Ferrer, who got the leather but was caught stepping on the sideline.
That set up the table for Sumang’s heroics then UE had another defensive gem, forcing Ferrer to make a wild shot that never hit the mark before time expired.
They Said It:
UE coach Boycie Zamar: “Roi not only has the heart. He also has the head.”
UE guard Roi Sumang: “Kinuha ko na naman ulit (the winning play).”
The scores:
UE (68) – Sumang 20, Olivares 15, Mammie 10, Santos 6, Noble 5, Casajeros 5, Galanza 3, Sumido 2, Javier 2, Olayon 0, Pujante 0, Jumao-as 0, Hernandez 0, Guion 0.
UST (67) – Abdul 23, Bautista 13, Ferrer 12, Daquioag 12, Mariano 4, Hainga 2, Lo 1, Sheriff 0, Pe 0, Faundo 0.
Quarterscores: 22-21; 37-38; 47-58; 68-67.
