UE goes for no.4 vs. winless UP

By Anthony Divinagracia Posted Jul 27th 2013

Emotion has typified University of the East (UE)’s sensational victories lately.

But for UE coach Boysie Zamar, playing with all-heart is just one side of the equation.

Today, Zamar wants to see more of the “other” side when the Warriors battle winless but dangerous University of the Philippines (UP) in the 76th UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

UE guns for its fourth win against the Maroons (0-6) at 2 p.m., hoping to strike a semblance of separation from idle Adamson University, National University, and De La Salle University, which tote identical 3-3 cards like the Warriors.

“Lagi kong sinsabi sa kanila yung head and heart. Nandoon ang puso pero kailangan na nilang gamitin yung utak nila. Yung mental toughness dapat nandoon palagi,” Zamara said minutes after the Warriors collected their third win via a come-from-behind 85-83 spanking of La Salle last Saturday.

“At least kahit paano sa first round naka-three (wins) na.”

Spitfire guard Roi Sumang continues to put on the numbers – and invaluable leadership – for the Warriors, netting 21 points on top of seven rebounds, and six assists against the Archers.

Rookie import Charles Mammie kept his inside dominance yelling with another double-double of 19 points and 16 rebounds, 12 coming from the offensive glass.

UP on the other hand remains out of the winner’s circle, suffering its sixth straight loss against University of Santo Tomas, 69-79, last Wednesday.

Sam Marata again carried the offensive load for UP with 16 points as the rest of the Maroons failed to deliver once more.

Despite momentum on the Warriors’ side, Zamar remains wary of the Maroons, who are unrelenting and lethal than what their record suggests.

“We have to be more disciplined against UP. You can’t take them lightly. Again, we have to use our head (against UP),” he said.

The game will air live on Studio 23, BALLS HD 167, iwantv.com.ph and uaapsports.tv with a replay on the same day at 8 p.m. on BALLS SkyCable channel 34/Destiny Cable channel 36.