UE sets up playoff with NU for last semis berth with win over UST

University of the East head coach Derrick Pumaren braces for another do-or-die game on Saturday against National University. Mark Giongco

MANILA, Philippines – University of the East’s Charles Mammie was kept on the bench in the first half for arriving late at the Araneta Coliseum minutes before the Red Warriors crucial tiff against University of Santo Tomas Tuesday.

Mammie started in the third quarter but made up for lost time – igniting a UE run for a 78-73 win that set itself up for a playoff with National University for the last Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I think we came out with a lot of intensity and with a lot of energy in the second half,” said UE head coach Derrick Pumaren.

“I was kind of pissed with Charles coming in late. I wasn’t gonna use him. You know me, that discipline is the number priority in this team,” Pumaren, who also benched the team’s star player Roi Sumang earlier in the season for missing practice, said.

The 6-foot-8 Mammie immediately redeemed himself when Pumaren decided to let him play in the third period. He finished with seven points, five rebounds and three assists in 18 minutes.

The resurgent Red Warriors, who looked out of it just couple of weeks ago, racked up their fifth straight victory including wins over powerhouses La Salle, NU, and Far Eastern University.

Graduating swingman Bong Galanza and Dan Alberto were also huge for UE in the second half, where the Warriors took control — leading by as much as 13, 58-45, late in the third period.

Galanza led UE with 17 points, eight in the third period that went with seven rebounds while Alberto added 15, seven of which also came in the third quarter.

Skipper Aljon Mariano played his last game in the UAAP. He fouled out with 52 seconds left and finished with 18 points and three rebounds for the Growling Tigers.

UE and NU, who both tote similar 9-5 records, dispute the last semifinals berth on Saturday, 4pm, at the same venue.

“We worked hard to be in this postion right now,” said Pumaren. “We’ve been trying to stay alive and we have to do it one more time. We have to come out and be ready for them.”

Ed Daquioag posted 16 for the Tigers, who ended the season on a four-game losing skid. Backup center Paolo Pe and Kim Lo also played their last game donning the black and gold.

Cameroonian center Karim Abdul was saddled by foul trouble early but still came away with 13 points and four rebounds for UST, which wound up in sixth place after back-to-back finals appearances the previous two seasons.

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