FilOil: Warriors trample lowly Pirates

(Updated 5:38pm) The University of the East Red Warriors trampled the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates, 82-72, in the FilOil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup, Wednesday, at the FilOil Flying V Arena.

After trailing for most of a tight first half, Roi Sumang spearheaded a 17-4 rally in the third quarter to put the Warriors up by seven points entering the fourth period, 57-50. Tirso Lesmoras tried to rally the Pirates late in the fourth, but poor execution and missed free throws prevented them from making any headway against UE, who led by no less than five in the final frame.

Sumang paced the Warriors with 19 points, five rebounds and six assists. Charles Mammie tallied a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds. JR Sumido chipped in 12 points, while Adrian Santos produced 10 points and eight rebounds.

Warriors head coach Boysie Zamar showed some concern despite his team's impressive comeback. "I'll take it as a good sign and a bad sign. We came back from the grave, but [it's only because] we fell behind. If you're going up against a team like La Salle hindi ka na makakabangon niyan," he said.

"Galing kami sa magandang panalo [versus UST], tapos siguro masyadong na-excite doon," admitted Santos.

Sumang chimed in on a more positive note, saying that these were necessary growing pains for his team. "Maganda yan para pagdating namin sa UAAP mas physical pa ang game. Ito parang practice lang para sa amin, at buti namang nakabawi kami."

Zamar said he expected more from his center, Charles Mammie, who shot 2-of-7 from the free throw line and lost his cool over some calls made by the officials. "He has to accept things the hard way and learn the hard way. I think for me as a coach there's no excuse to miss a free throw."

The Warriors' 4-2 card keep them in the Final Four hunt, while the Pirates remain winless (0-5) in Group B play, joining the EAC Generals (0-5) and the UP Fighting Maroons (0-4) as the only teams still seeking their first win.

The go-go Warriors weren't their usual selves in the first quarter and trailed 11-6 midway through the period. UE then took advantage of slow perimeter defense to stake a 12-11 lead, courtesy of six straight from JR Sumido.

However the Pirates pushed back as sluggish opposition yielded offensive boards and buckets in the lane, and Mark Francisco scored six in a 10-2 run with under three minutes to play. The Warriors hung around in the final minute though, as a triple by Mario Bonleon helped them cut the deficit, 21-19, after the first period.

UE continued to stick to their guns and fire away from deep, though they hardly connected. Meanwhile the Pirates continued to have their way on the other end, connecting from midrange and finding transition looks. A Dexter Zamora trey punctuated a 13-5 run, 34-24, halfway through the period.

The Warriors hunkered down on defense and changed tactics, by trying to score at the rim. Charles Mammie couldn't make Lyceum pay for sending them to the line though as he went 0-for-5 during the stretch. However the Warriors still put together an 11-2 rally, highlighted by an and-one drive by Sumido with a minute and change left, to trail 36-35 at halftime.

The Pirates shot 17-of-34 from the field (50 percent), while the Warriors were a lowly 14-of-45 (41 percent), including a 3-of-20 clip (15 percent) from beyond the arc. UE however stayed close thanks to a 7-12 disparity in turnovers and a 13-6 edge in offensive rebounds.

The Pirates rocked UE in the first minute after the break as Andrei Mendoza scored twice in the lane, and Shane Ko broke loose in transition for an open lay-up to send the Warriors into a timeout. Instead of turning the tables however, UE conceded a runner each to Ko and Zamora to create an 11-point lead, 46-35.

Roi Sumang, who only scored four points in the first half, took charge for the Warriors as he drained a trey and mixed it up in the lane for a personal 9-2 run. Chris Javier and Mammie also put the Pirates in foul trouble and start producing in the post, as the Warriors took a 50-48 lead with under three minutes to play.

Daniel Garcia scored on the other end to tie the game, but tripped his own team as he elbowed Mammie while going for a rebound off a Mario Bonleon free throw. Garcia was called for an unsportsmanlike foul, but Javier missed both the ensuing charities.

Garcia's basket would be Lyceum's second in the last eight minutes as UE shut them down, while the Warriors' strong play at the basket allowed them to soldier on. An and-one baseline drive by Bong Galanza capped a 17-4 run as they led 57-50 heading into the final frame.

After Mammie scored twice down low to put them up by 11 points in the fourth, the Warriors seemed to trail off. Tirso Lesmoras was keen on keeping Lyceum in the game, scoring five straight to help his team stay within seven, 65-58, with five minutes to play.

The Pirates held themselves back as they were slow to recover on defense and couldn't make their free throws, and UE easily matched them tit for tat, 75-65, with two minutes left on the clock. Loose ball fouls prolonged the game as both teams were in the penalty situation. Sumang added four from the line before finally checking out with a minute to play, 79-66, and the game well in hand for the Warriors.

The Warriors shot worse than the Pirates, making just 27-of-78 field goals (35 percent) including 4-of-31 from three-point range (13 percent), versus Lyceum's 32-of-68 mark (47 percent). UE held a 52-44 rebounding advantage, including 25-12 on the offensive end. Despite this, they only posted a 15-13 margin in second-chance points.

The Pirates led in fast break points, 14-3.

Mark Francisco led Lyceum with 14 points and six rebounds. Shane Ko added 11 points and five assists, while Dexter Zamora scattered 10 points. - RAF, GMA News


The scores:

UE 82: Sumang 19, Mammie 14, Sumido 12, Santos 10, Galanza 8, Noble 6, Bonleon 4, Casajeros 3, Javier 3, Alberto 3, Olivarez 0, Pujante 0, Flores 0, Hernandez 0, Jumao-as 0

LPU 72: Francisco 14, Ko 11, Zamora 10, Lesmoras 8, Mendoza 7, Garcia 7, Azores 6, Ambohot 4, Baltazar 3, Soliman 2, Lacastesantos 0, Evangelista 0, Taladua 0, Fabian 0, Edora 0

Quarter scoring: 19-21, 35-36, 57-50, 82-72