Charles Mammie of the University of the East battle John Baytan and Celedonio Trollano Jr. of Adamson University for the rebound during their game Saturday, July 19, 204, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. The Red Warriors beat the Falcons, 99-72, for their second straight win while dealing Adamson its second loss. AUGUST DELA CRUZ/INQUIRER
MANILA, Philippines — Host University of the East turned things around in the second half to rip Adamson, 99-72, in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Red Warriors trailed by a point, 39-40, at the half before going on a blistering 11-0 run to start the third quarter — outscoring the Falcons by 18 in that period alone — to take a 69-52 lead.
Roi Sumang had 10 points in the pivotal quarter as he nearly matched Adamson’s measly 12 points.
“We were out of our rhythm in the first half,” said UE head coach Derrick Pumaren. “I talked to the boys at halftime that we were not playing our game. I’m proud of how the boys played in the second half they were able to respond to the challenge.”
Skipper Bong Galanza fired 16 points built on four-of-nine from the three-point area while Sumang finished with 15 points, four rebounds and six assists.
UE head coach Derrick Pumaren steers the Red Warriors to their second win in as many games following a 99-72 rout of Adamson Saturday, July 19, 2014. MARK GIONGCO/INQUIRER.net
“I’m expecting a breakout year for Bong which is also his last year,” said Pumaren, whose team joined National University at the top of the standings with identical 2-0 records.
UE has now picked up two lopsided wins to kickoff its campaign after blowing out University of the Philippines, 87-59, in its opening game.
But for Pumaren, the Warriors haven’t shown anything yet.
“Nothing against UP and nothing against Adamson but our test was supposed to be our game against UST but big test now will come [next] Sunday where we’ll play the defending champion La Salle,” he said.
“But as I told the boys, we haven’t proven anything yet. Even though we have two wins, it still doesn’t mean anything,” Pumaren added.
A layup by Sumang capped the 11-0 blast that gave UE, which led by as much as 31 points, a 51-40 lead with 6:28 in the third quarter and his nifty drive pushed his team’s lead to 59-45.
“In the second half, we came out really strong. Our energy was there.”
Gino Jumao-as was scoreless in the first three quarters but had 12 points in the fourth quarter alone, including 10 straight that put the game away.
William Polican also had 16 for the Falcons while Don Trollano added 15 before being sent out of the court after getting called for a disqualifying foul with 3:06 left.
Adamson absorbed its second straight lopsided defeat in as many games after losing to Ateneo, 57-79, last Sunday.