Bulldogs, Warriors make final

MANILA, Philippines - University of the East pounced on the ouster of UST’s three aces due to fouls as it eked out a come-from-behind 77-75 victory to seal a title duel with National U in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

The Bulldogs stayed on a course for a title repeat as they demolished reigning NCAA three-peat champion the San Beda Red Lions, 74-57, in the other Final Four clash.

Roy Sumang, Sierra Leone’s Charles Mammie and JM Noble scored 16 points apiece as the Warriors erased a 16-point third quarter deficit and outlasted the Tigers in a down-to-the-wire finish to reach the finals of the annual tournament for the first time in four years.

The Tigers actually hung tough after Cameroonian Karim Abdul, Jeric Teng and Kevin Ferrer fouled out one after the other in the stretch but the Warriors put their act together to finish off UST and gain a crack at the crown.

“In the first half and majority of the third quarter, we played individually, which is inexcusable,” said UE coach Boycie Zamar. “Good thing the guys turned things around in the fourth by showing total team effort.”

Down by four with 21.7 seconds left in the contest, UST went to Paolo Pe, who banged in a jumper, and Tigers got a shot at the game after rookie Gino Juamo-as turned the ball over in the ensuing play.

But UST’s Ed Dacquioag misfired from the three-point range at the buzzer, sending UE to the championship round.

It was a sorry loss for the España-based cagers, who led by as many as 16 points, 50-34, midway in the third period.

But the Warriors turned things around by attacking the rim and toughening up on defense, enabling them to close the gap at 50-56 going into the final quarter.

Ferrer, Abdul and Teng finished with 19, 14 and 12 points, respectively, before fouling out.

The Bulldogs, meanwhile, turned what was expected to be a fierce duel into a runaway win behind their shackling defense.

“We’re disciplined and focused on our defense. I think we forced them to 30-percent shooting. We controlled the rebounds that lead to transition baskets,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano. “We’re excited to be back in the finals.”

Denice Villamor scored a team-high 18 points while Gelo Alolino, Bobby Ray Parks Jr. and Emmanuel Mbe scattered 15, 12 and 11 points, respectively.