UE ends UAAP first round on winning note at winless UP’s expense

MANILA, Philippines – University of the East pounced on turnover-plagued University of the Philippines to carve out a 62-57 Saturday in the UAAP season 76 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After a deadlock at 57, the Warriors had to earn their final five markers from the stripe but still came away with the win as the Maroons were doomed by crucial miscues in the last 2:31 of the game.

“Satisfied? Honestly both no and yes. No in the sense that you cannot underestimate anybody but yes because they need games like this,” said head coach Boycie Zamar.

Center Charles Mammie scattered 17 markers and hauled down 22 boards while Roi Sumang added 10, despite going 2-of-11 from the field.

The Red Warriors led by as many as 11 points, but couldn’t fully shake off the Maroons even with UP’s main man Sam Marata struggling from the field.

UE then widened the gap to 55-49 midway in the payoff period but the Maroons pulled back quickly to knot the game.

UP had a chance to grab the lead with a bonus free throw given to Joseph Gallarza but he missed that and the ensuing follow up, and it was downhill from there for the hardluck Maroons.

After a stop on Mammie, UP, which was only down by a point with 1:13 to play, was called for an eight-second violation as Henry Asilum failed to notice the time.

Sumang then split his free throws for a 60-57 lead for UE, and the Maroons, with 9.5 ticks to go, had a chance for one final heave but Jason Ligad was caught stepping out of bounds.

Two more free throws from Sumang sealed the win for UE, which ended the first round with a 4-3 card, while UP remained winless.