Warriors tame Tigers, arrange duel vs Bulldogs

MANILA, Philippines - Feeding on the survival instinct that’s been keeping them going for the past three weeks, a determined University of the East nipped University of Santo Tomas, 78-73, to step closer to its goal of making it to the Final Four of UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum yesterday.

In danger of getting the exit after winning only four of their first nine games, the Warriors patiently picked up their game and worked their way to five straight triumphs to close out the elims, catch up with National U at fourth with 9-5 and force a playoff.

The Warriors will figure in one more do-or-die on Saturday, also at the Big Dome, in their dispute for the last semis berth with NU.

“We’ve been fighting to stay alive for the past three weeks and we just have to do it again one more time to make it to the Final Four. That’s our immediate goal coming to the season because UE has not made it to the Final Four in the last four years, I think,” said UE coach Derrick Pumaren.

The Warriors pulled off their playoff-clinching win despite benching Charles Mammie for the entire first half. Pumaren said Mammie came in late for the game and was given disciplinary action of a game-long sit-out, if not for the intercession of his teammates.

“Discipline is priority for this team and he can’t do that. If I can bench Roi (Sumang) for disciplinary reasons, I can do that to him, even if we sacrifice losing this game,” said Pumaren.

“But the boys asked me if we can use him and I told them you better pray that we win, if not, that’s the last time he’ll wear the uniform ‘coz he’s going to be out of the team,” he added.

Mammie finished with seven points, five rebounds and three assists in 17 minutes.

“I went to Makati to get my socks, that’s why I was late and I know I’m late,” said Mammie.

The Warriors shifted to high gear in the second half, where Mammie, Dan Alberto, Mark Olayon and Bong Galanza joined forces in giving the host team a 58-45 lead at the 1:30 mark.

The Tigers, who were looking for a graceful exit, launched a fightback and came to within, 65-71, but Paul Varilla took the cudgels and knocked down a jumper and a reverse lay-up to restore a 10-point cushion going to the last 1:59.

In the second game, Adamson avoided a winless season as it got back at first-round tormentor University of the Philippines, 67-63.

Dawn Ochea scored on a layup off transition to give AdU the go-ahead and Axel Inigo iced it with two charities as the Falcons broke through with their first win in 14 games under first-year coach Kenneth Duremdes. The Maroons also ended with 1-13 but took seventh on the strength of their 77-64 win in the first round.

Duremdes was fighting back tears as the buzzer sounded.

“Tears of joy. This is the sweetest victory. We ended the season on a winning note,” he said. “It’s also a good sign for our program and development of players.”