INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines - University of the East returns to the finals of the FilOil Flying V Pre-Season MVP Cup, but faces a new foe in Far Eastern University.

The Warriors halted San Sebastian?s off-the-formchart run with a 90-84 triumph to clinch the first championship berth, but the Tamaraws spoiled a repeat of last year?s title showdown by tripping the San Beda Red Lions, 64-58, in the Final Four last night at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Paul Lee knocked in a game-high 26 points for the Warriors, who pulled off the victory minus several key players.

?We were down by six men,? said UE coach Lawrence Chongson. ?They were stricken by flu and they have to be checked. But the boys? didn?t give up. We need this kind of game to test the team?s maturity.?

Reihl Cervantes drilled 19 markers and rookie guard Ryan Roose Garcia added 15 as the Tamaraws upset the three-time NCAA champion Lions.

Elmer Espiritu buried 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for the Warriors, while Rudy Lingganay played a key role in the clutch to turn a 74-73 lead into an 80-73 advantage.

The Warriors played minus the veteran pair of Pari Llagas and Toto Bandaying and role players John Rey Albanza, Kenneth Acibar, Erwin Duran and John Michael Noble.

Jimbo Aquino shot 21 points to lead the unheralded Stags, who surprisingly won seven of eight games to reach the semifinals.

The scores:

First Game
UE 90?Lee 26, Espiritu 19, Martinez 10, Zamar 9, Acuna 8, Flores 8, Lingganay 4, Reyes 4, Sumido 2.

SAN SEBASTIAN 84?Aquino 21, Cuevas 17, Maconicido 16, Sangalang 8, Semira 5, Raymundo 7, Pascual 4, Najorda 4, Del Rio 2.
Quarters: 16-21, 42-41, 64-65, 90-84

Second Game
FEU 64?Cervantes 19, Garcia 15, Cawaling 10, Barroca 8, Eguilos 6, Nuondu 4, Tanuan 2

SAN BEDA 58?Pascual 14, Gamalinda 12, Tecson 10, Marcelo 8, Daniel 6, Lanete 4, Villahermosa 3, Tirona 1.
Quarters: 21-10, 37-28, 49-44, 64-58