UE center Mammie suspended; 3 warned

THE UAAP slapped a one-game suspension on University of the East’s African center Charles Mammie, compounding the early woes of the preseason favorite Warriors in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.

League commissioner Chito Loyzaga sanctioned Mammie yesterday for “confronting, pushing and kicking” Adamson player Roider Cabrera with only seconds left in the game won by the Falcons, 78-71, Wednesday.

Loyzaga also issued a warning to National University’s Jeoff Javillonar for pushing University of Santo Tomas’ Jeric Teng, who fell and injured his shoulder, and Adamson’s Cabrera and UE’s Lordy Casajeros for rough play.

UE coach Boycie Zamar said he has no choice but to prepare his wards minus Mammie, a hulking 6-foot-7 recruit from Sierra Leone, when the Warriors clash with the Tigers this Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“You have to be ready for any eventuality. That’s the challenge, that’s the essence of coaching,” Zamar said as his Warriors try to avoid sinking to a 1-3 record this weekend.

Loyzaga had given Mammie a warning just four days ago for throwing an elbow and extending his knee to the groin of NU’s Emmanuel Mbe in the match won by the Warriors, 71-67, last weekend.

“Even as the game is over, you are expected to maintain proper conduct and good behavior in the playing court at all times,” Loyzaga said in a memo announcing Mammie’s suspension. “Since you have received a warning of this similar nature, you are therefore suspended for one official game effective immediately.”

Teng also remains doubtful in the UST-UE game after undergoing tests yesterday. The UST top gunner said he couldn’t move his shoulder after Javillonar slammed into him from behind late in the first half.

With his arm on a sling, Teng sat out the entire second half of the game where the Bulldogs triumphed, 71-67, last Wednesday.