UAAP: Mammie returns as UE stops 2-game skid at expense of Ateneo

Charles Mammie of UE (right). INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Sierra Leonean import Charles Mammie showed what University of the East missed as his double-double carried the Red Warriors over Ateneo, 72-68, in the UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Mammie, who came back from a one-game suspension, picked up where he left off with 20 points and 23 rebounds as the UE stopped its two-game slide to improve to 2-3.

“Itong Ateneo team they have pride, the problem with my team is that they have ego. Ateneo came back and na-deflate yung egos nila,” said UE coach Boycie Zamar, whose squad blew a 15-point third quarter lead before mustering enough strength to hold off Ateneo.

“UE woke up at the right time.”

Roi Sumang scored 14, highlighted by a nifty drive past defender Nico Elorde and over Ateneo center Frank Golla, to give the Red Warriors a 70-67 cushion, with 47.1 seconds remaining.

Mammie, whose biggest limitation is at the free throw line, calmly sank both freebies to seal the win as Chris Newsome and Kiefer Ravena each missed a pair of last-second attempts.

The Blue Eagles, who slid to 1-4, rallied from 31-46 down as they closed the third quarter on a 23-8 run behind Juami Tiongson’s 12-point barrage.

Tiongson finished with 17 points on five-of-seven shooting from downtown. Von Pessumal added 12 points including a triple to tie the game at 54, entering the final period.

Ravena, in just his second game back after sitting out with an ankle injury, tallied just 11 points but showed flashes of his lethal form after hitting a clutch triple to give Ateneo its first lead, 61-60, and converting a layup for a 63-60 edge, with 4:16 left.

Five unanswered points by Mammie and a basket by John Noble after a left elbow jumper by Frank Golla had UE up, 68-67, with 1:14 left.

The Eagles had a chance to regain the lead but Tiongson was called with an offensive foul after warding off Adrian Santos with his left arm before Sumang’s fearless drive stretched it back the advantage to three.

Ateneo guard/forward Ryan Buenafe played just 12 minutes and score only four points after hurting his ankle in the first half.

Backup guard Dan Alberto, a sophomore, gave UE a lift with 14 points off the bench. The Red Warriors out-rebounded the Blue Eagles, 51-42.