Steadier Warriors keep Maroons winless

MANILA, Philippines – The UP Fighting Maroons came so close to nailing their first win of the UAAP Season 76 but the UE Red Warriors proved to be steadier down the stretch eking out a 62-57 thriller Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

UE leaned on its vaunted defense and the steady hands of Roi Sumang and Charles Mammie to finish the first round with a 4-3 win-loss mark.

The Maroons, who battled back from a nine-point halftime deficit, were still in the thick of things when Henry Asilum scored on a floater to tie the game for the fourth time, 55-all, with only 3:05 left.

Sumang and Mammie connected in a perfectly executed pick-and-roll in the next play for another two-point cushion, 57-55, but UP was quick to counter on a JR Gallarza short stab.

It was all downhill for the Maroons from there.

Asilum committed an eight-second violation and missed a forced three-pointer then another Jason Ligad error did UP in. On the other hand, Sumang made four of six free throw attempts to seal the deal.

Sumang was having a hard time against UP’s defense throughout the game but his four free throws down the stretch enabled him to extend his string of double-double games to 21. He finished with a season-low 10 points but grabbed nine boards and issued five assists to make up for his offensive woes.

Mammie had another monster game to the tune of 17 points and 22 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. It also marked the third time that he grabbed 20 boards of more.

Moriah Gingerich and Gallarza’s career games went for naught as UP closed out the opening round still winless.

Gingerich wound up with career-high 10 points while Gallarza added 10 and 14 rebounds, both career-highs. Raul Soyud completed his third double-double of the season with 10 and 11 boards.