Warriors feast on Falcons for 2-0 start

By Anthony Divinagracia Posted Jul 19th 2014

University of the East (UE) redisplayed its murderous form on Saturday, grilling Adamson University’s hapless Falcons for dinner to stay mightily on top of the 77^th UAAP men’s basketball tournament.

Parading their full arsenal of weapons yet again, the Warriors overcame a tentative first half to escape a looming ambush before completely obliterating the Falcons, 99-72, at the Araneta Coliseum.

Bong Galanza, Roi Sumang, Gino Jumao-as and the entire UE frontline took turns in wearing down the rookie-laden Falcons in the last two quarters to share the early lead with National University at 2-0.

Galanza fired 16 points highlighted by four triples, while Sumang scored on a couple of acrobatic drives en route to 15 markers plus six assists and four rebounds.

Jumao-as, who was scoreless in the first three quarters, exploded for 12 points in the last frame, including four straight baskets that fuelled a 14-5 UE run with four minutes left to give the Warriors their biggest lead at 94-65.

Chris Javier, Charles Mammie, Mustaf Arafat, RR de Leon, and rookie Paul Varilla combined for 40 of the Warriors’ entire output while alternately imposing their will underneath against the smaller Adamson frontline.

But it was not an all-UE affair.

Employing a half-court pressure defense, the Falcons surprised the Warriors on their tracks and ignited an 11-5 blitz to seize the upperhand, 35-33.

“I told the boys at half time that we were not playing our game. They responded to the challenge. They were able to step up.” UE coach Derek Pumaren said.

True to Pumaren’s words, the Warriors shrugged off that first-half shock and went on a searing 12-0 attack that put UE comfortably ahead, 51-40, for good.

Rookie guard William Polican paced Adamson with 16 points while Don Trollano, who was ejected in the fourth quarter, and Jansen Rios added 14 and 13, respectively.

The scores:

UE 99 – Galanza 16, Sumang 15, Jumao-as 12, Javier 9, Varilla 9, Alberto 9, De Leon 8, Arafat 6, Mammie 6, Cudal 4, Olayon 3, Charcos 2, Palma 0, Hernandez 0, Derige 0.

ADU 72 – Polican 16, Trollano 14, Rios 13, Inigo 10, Villanueva 8, Pedrosa 5, Nalos 3, Monteclaro 3, Baytan 0, Aquino 0, Ochea 0, Barrera 0, Butron 0, Gumtang 0.

Quarter scores: 25-20, 39-40, 69-52, 99-72.