UE shows heart anew, twits La Salle for 2nd straight win

By Anthony Divinagracia Posted Jul 20th 2013

Hobbled by a cold start, University of the East (UE) showed its heart.

It was a fighting one.

And the Warriors paraded it in full display Saturday, overcoming their egos and a stubborn De La Salle University, 85-83, to give coach Boysie Zamar his first back-to-back wins in the 76^th UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Warriors erased a 59-70 fourth-quarter deficit with timely baskets from spitfire guard Roi Sumang and the cold-blooded free-throw shooting of rookie Ralf Olivares and reserve Dan Alberto to melt the Archers’ endgame poise anew and tie their victims at 3-3.

“The players had to really play above pressure, their injuries, their ego, and (even) personal problems. They have to be more determined, more disciplined, and mature now,” said Zamar.

“We were down by ten (but they never backed down). It’s all about heart.”

Olivares calmly sank two freebies before nailing a booming triples from top of the key to push UE up, 82-81, with 42.3 seconds left.

Alberto then buried two more freethrows after fishing Jeron Teng’s third foul before Olivares returned to the line for a split with 12 ticks left and the final count.

“Olivares showed us he has a big heart like Sumang and Mammie,” Zamar said of the 6’2 swing man who finished with eight points in 13 quality minutes of play.

Sumang again led the Warriors with 21 points, seven rebounds, and six assists while Charles Mammie added a double-double of 19 markers and 16 boards, 12 coming from the offensive glass. Chris Javier also contributed well with 16 points.

Almond Vosotros topscored for La Salle with 26 points but inexplicably went cold in the dying second of the fourth. Teng backed him up with 13, but was a non-factor in the entire second half.

The scores:

UE 85 – Sumang 21, Mammie 19, Javier 16, Alberto 9, Olivares 8, Noble 8, Santos 4, Sumido 0, Jumao-as 0, Hernandez 0, Galanza 0, Flores 0, Casajeros 0.

DLSU 83 – Vosotros 26, Teng 13, N. Torres 9, T. Torres 9, Van Opstal 8, Dela Paz 8, Salem 6, Perkins 4, Tampus 0, Revilla 0, Montalbo 0.

Quarter scores: 18-18, 39-43, 58-64, 85-83.