Charles Mammie reveals reason for tardiness: ‘I came back for my socks’

Jane Bracher

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Charles Mammie reveals reason for tardiness: ‘I came back for my socks’
UE coach Derrick Pumaren isn't buying Charles Mammie's excuse of having to retrieve his socks at home for his late arrival at the UST game

MANILA, Philippines – Charles Mammie had one simple reason for being late in the University of the East’s Tuesday, September 16 do-or-die game against the University of Santo Tomas: He had to go back for his socks he left at home.

“I went to Makati to get my socks. I came back for it, that’s why I was late and I know I was late,” Mammie said after the Red Warriors won, 78-73, over the Tigers.

Due to his tardiness, coach Derrick Pumaren was forced to bench his starting center for the entire first half. 

“He’s giving me this reason and that. But I said that’s a lot of bull. He said it’s traffic but I said I was not born yet and it’s already traffic in Manila. Traffic is not an excuse,” Pumaren explained. 

“He cannot tell he me left at 10:30 (in the morning) and not make it here at 1:30. I cannot accept that. He knows that he’s gonna sit. He knows the rule.”

Pumaren had intended to have the 6-foot-8 Mammie sit out the entire game, even risking losing the all-important ballgame. But the rest of the Warriors asked Pumaren to play Mammie, as they had trouble battling UST in the paint. Pumaren obliged but made sure Mammie knew the repercussions of his actions.

“I told him (Mammie), ‘You better pray that we win, if not that’s gonna be the last time you wear a UE uniform because you’re gonna be out of the team.'”

Mammie’s entrance into the game in the second half inspired his teammates for a 25-15 third quarter burst that helped UE establish dominance over UST on their way to the win.

The big man from Sierra Leone, who finished with 7 points and 5 rebounds, was apologetic for what happened.

“Coach is like a father figure,” Mammie said. “And I made a mistake.”

Pumaren previously benched starting point guard Roi Sumang as disciplinary action for missing practice.

“You know me, discipline is the number one priority for this team,” he said.

UE will battle National University in another win-or-go-home contest on Saturday with the last Final Four spot on the line. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!