Warriors bring Maroons back to losing ways

MANILA, Philippines -- Charles Mammie took charge in the absence of Roi Sumang as University of the East sent University of the Philippines back to earth with a 68-48 rout and improved to 4-4 in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tourney Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Mammie muscled his way to 15 points, firing 11 in leading UE’s third-quarter pull away, and collared 14 rebounds and blocked four shots as the Red Warriors disposed of the Maroons, who failed to follow-up their well-publicized 77-64 win over Adamson a week ago to fall to 1-7.

“He has contributed a lot, that’s why he’s been playing more minutes lately,” said UE coach Derrick Pumaren of his import from Sierra Leone who pounded it inside against the smaller Maroons frontliners.

Pumaren said after Mammie and their other import, Moustapha Arafat were completely shut down in their 91-93 overtime loss to Ateneo last week, he talked to the two and challenged them to do a lot more.

“I told them we’re struggling because we’re not getting anything from them. So far, Charles has stepped up to the challenge and he was able to prove his worth today,” he said.

“I’m here to do my job. If coach gives me five minutes, I’ll do my job,” said Mammie, who made the most out of his 24-minute stint.

The Warriors decided to sit out Sumang, who suffered a sprained ankle in their last game. The ankle was still swollen on game day.

“He’s still not 100 percent and there’s no need to rush him. I want him 100 percent for our next game (against Ateneo on Wednesday),” Pumaren said.

UE remained at fifth but moved within a win behind the Nos. 2 to 4 teams which had 5-2 at presstime.

“We know we’re still right behind the upper half. But as I told the guys, we’re trying to catch up so games will be very important. We have to take it game by game, quarter by quarter,” said Pumaren.

Dan Alberto complemented Mammie with 11 points while Mark Olayon added 10 markers and eight boards.

Mikee Reyes paced UP with 19, spiked by four triples.

Despite the win, Pumaren rued the Warriors' tendencies to throw the ball away.

"I'm not happy with the win. We had 29 tunrovers. Not to disrespect UP but we threw the ball away 29 times and that's not good for us," said Pumaren, whose charges gave up 17 points off turnovers.

Rey Madrid called the shots for UP after serving a two-game suspension.