Warriors rule Fr. Martin’s Cup

MANILA, Philippines - University of the East forced San Sebastian College-A to four turnovers to pull off a 77-72 win in overtime and capture the senior division crown of the 10th Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup at the Trinity University of Asia gym in QC last Monday.

Six-foot-five American cager Charlies Mammie fired 22 points while Ralph Olivarez scored 17 points, the last four secured the Warriors’ victory in the 16.7 seconds.

Earlier, Hope Christian School drew 20 points from Arjan de la Cruz as it downed Chiang Kai Shek, 68-60, for the junior division title.

UE reached the finals by beating Arellano University last Friday.

Olivarez, a 21-year old business management sophomore, scored on a putback off RR de Leon’s miss in the last 16.7 seconds to give the Warriors a 75-72 cushion in the last 16.7 seconds.

He then cashed in on a traveling error by Gio Vergara and knocked in two charities off Jason Pusiquit’s foul in the last 7.6 seconds for the victory.

“Credit goes to the players. They wanted to win the championship,” said UE Team B coach Bai Cristobal.

Jaymar Perez led the Stags with 24 points, including a follow-up off his own miss that forced overtime at 65.

The Stags, who beat the Jose Rizal U Bombers, 73-68, in the semis, took a 70-69 edge in the last 3:05 but lost their momentum with two turnovers by Perez and Vergara. Pusiquit then missed a shot and Bradwin Guinto made another turnover.

The Warriors pounced on those series of miscues as they grabbed a 73-70 lead on Cameroonian Mustapha Arafat’s two charities and a drive with 51.7 seconds to go.