Ailing Warriors wax hot, thump Tams

University of the East overcame a sluggish start with a strong windup as it topped defending champion Far Eastern U, 92-84, in overtime yesterday to seize the solo lead in the 69th UAAP basketball tournament at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

With five players playing sick, the Warriors started out flat but gained their bearing in the second half and went on to beat the Tams in the extra period for their second straight victory.

Bon Bon Custodio endured intestinal problems and early foul-trouble situation, making 18 points including 11 in the third quarter when the Recto-based school turned the tide in its favor.

The Warriors failed to finish off the Tams in regulation play but won just the same with Mark Borboran taking his turn to shine in overtime.

"Five of my players had to endure minor sickness today, and that’s the reason why we started slow," said UE coach Dindo Pumaren pointing to Custodio, James Martinez, Marcy Arellano, Elmer Espiritu and Kelvin Gregorio as the Warriors who played sick.

"I was telling these players to rest but they really wanted to play. Luckily, we won," Pumaren also said.

Martinez, who metamorphosed from a shooting guard during his high school days at San Beda to point guard at UE, also took the limelight as he came through with 16 points — his best effort thus far in the UAAP.

"Nobody believed he can play the point, but I know he can," said Pumaren.

Jonas Villanueva matched Custodio’s output but lost steam in overtime, suffering cramps and had to be carried out by his teammates to the sideline with a minute left to play.

Working on a deliberate half-court game, the Tams dictated the tempo at the start as they led by as many as 14 points, 35-21, midway in the second period.

But Custodio and Martinez teamed up in a decisive attack as the Warriors surged ahead at 60-59 going into the final canto.

UE stretched its lead to seven, 66-59, but FEU inched its way back as Roser Mangahas, scoreless in the first three quarters, suddenly gained his touch.

Mangahas fired all his eight points in the fourth quarter, including two charities that sent the game into overtime.

The Tams had a chance to win it in regulation but Borboran blocked a three-point attempt by rookie Marnel Baracael at the buzzer.