Warriors rein in Bulldogs, stay alive

MANILA, Philippines - University of the East cranked it up even without top gunner Roi Sumang, walloping contender National U, 64-55, to rejuvenate its Final Four aspirations in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum yesterday.

Charles Mammie banged in 22 points, including eight in the fourth, and pulled down 10 rebounds as the Warriors posted their sixth win in 11 outings and moved one game behind the fourth-running Bulldogs (7-4), their main rivals for a semis berth.

In the first game, defending champion La Salle got back on track, disposing of winless Adamson, 66-57, to grab a share of second with idle Ateneo with 8-3.

“We want to stay alive,” said UE coach Derrick Pumaren, “We know we can’t afford to have NU get its eighth win tonight so we were fighting for our lives and I think the boys played well and didn’t wilt under pressure. And we really played defense the way we wanted it.”

Pumaren said management decided to bench Sumang as a disciplinary action for missing team practice last Saturday. Sumang left their quarters inside the UE campus Friday night and returned the next morning. But he didn’t show up for their 9 a.m. practice and left no word until about 11:20 at night, belatedly telling Pumaren via text message that he had a headache.

“He’s a big part of the team and he can’t do that. We’re instilling discipline in UE and they’re still students so we have to give disciplinary measure,” said Pumaren. “It’s disrespectful to the school, to the team, to me as a coach. He’s Roi Sumang but he’s not above the law.”

As Sumang was reduced to cheerleader, Mammie and company got the job done.

Mammie was hitting jumpers and getting rebounds while Gino Jumao-as and Paul Varilla, who had eight apiece, knocked down big shots in the fourth, allowing UE to post a 57-46 lead.

“The best thing about basketball is it’s a team sports; it’s not about one guy. It takes everybody, the whole team to win a ballgame and that’s what we showed tonight. The guys played their hearts out and Charles carried us on his shoulders.”

Gelo Alolino (13) and Troy Rosario (12) paced NU.

Meanwhile, seeking to rebound from their 70-74 loss to Far Eastern last week, the Archers surged ahead to 26-8 early on but squandered it and eventually regained their bearings to rebound from their 70-74 loss to pacesetting Far Eastern last week and secure their eighth win in 11 games for joint second.

“We didn’t shoot very well on the floor,” rued DLSU coach Juno Sauler, whose wards made 22 of their 65 shots (33.85 percent) overall and a woeful 1 of 17 or 5.88 percent from beyond the arc.