Red Warriors tame misfiring Tigers to stop slide

INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—University of the East finally snapped its losing skid following a masterful 72-62 win over struggling University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Red Warriors, who ended a four-game tailspin and tote a similar record as the Growling Tigers at 3-4 to end the first round, took an early double-digit advantage and never looked back to lead by as much as 29, 60-31, after three quarters.

UE lost its last four assignments despite leading by double digits in each of those games but the Red Warriors finally managed to hold on to their lead this time.

The Growling Tigers, who missed the services of their star center Karim Abdul due to viral infection, couldn’t get anything going majority of the game and as horrible as their first quarter was, they played much worse in the second period.

UST scored just four points in that 10-minute stretch and made just one-of-12 from the field for a 22% shooting clip in the first half.

Sans Abdul, UE’s import Charles Mammie had his way with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Roi Sumang scattered eight points, five assists and two steals in 17 minutes of action before he sprained his ankle and did not return.

UST showed signs of life in the final frame with a 14-0 run to start the quarter that cut UE’s lead down to 15, 60-45, but it was a case of too little too late for the Tigers, who will head into the second round with a three-game losing skid.

Aljon Mariano scored 21 points for UST.

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