MANILA, Philippines – University of the East joined the Bulldogs at the top with 2-0 after mangling Adamson, 99-72, in the 77th UAAP men’s basketball tourney at the Mall of Asia Arena Saturday.
After a listless start, the Red Warriors shifted to high gears in the final 20 minutes to quash the upset bid of the Falcons (0-2) and secure their second straight blowout win by more than 25 points. They thumped UP in their opening assignment, 87-59.
"I must say coach Kenneth Duremdes did a pretty good job at the start of the ball game. They came out with a good game plan, they were able to slow us down and we lost our rhythm in the first half," said UE coach Derrick Pumaren.
"I had to talk to the boys at halftime and told them we're not playing our game and we had to seize the opportunity to get this second win and I'm proud how the boys played in the second half. They responded to the challenge and stepped up," he added.
Bong Galanza rifled in 16 points laced with four triples to lead scoring for the Warriors.
"I'm expecting a breakout game for Bong and being one of the seniors, I'm really banking highly on him this year. He didn't really play well in the opening game but he came out strong tonight," said Pumaren.
Roi Sumang added 15 markers, including 10 in UE's third-quarter pullaway, plus six feeds while Gino Jumao-as shot 12, all in the fourth.
Rookie William Polican paced AdU with 16 markers while veteran Don Trollano finished with 14 before getting slapped with a disqualifying foul in the third for "swinging" at Steven Cudal.
The scores
UE 99 – Galanza 16, Sumang 15, Jumao-as 12, Alberto 9, Javier 9, Varilla 9, de Leon 8, Mammie 6, Arafat 6, Cudal 4, Olayon 3, Charcos 2, Derige 0, Hernandez 0, Palma 0.
AdU 72 – Polican 16, Trollano 14, Rios 13, Inigo 10, Villanueva 8, Pedrosa 5, Monteclaro 3, Nalos 3, Aquino 0, Barrera 0, Baytan 0, Butron 0, Gumtang 0, Ochea 0.
Quarterscores: 25-20, 39-40, 69-52, 99-72.