Hot Tams out to extend run

AFTER building a huge lead from the rest of the pack, Far Eastern University hopes to guard against complacency at the start of the second round of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament today.

FEU coach Nash Racela insists the Tamaraws are far from perfect as his team tries to keep its hot streak going against National University at 4 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We still have a lot of things to work on,” said Racela even if NU coach Eric Altmirano noted how the Tamaraws are “playing like a PBA team.

“We’re anticipating every team to be tougher in the second round,” added Racela. “We’ll be a target for all the teams, so it’s important for us to be just ready.”

The Tamaraws swept the first round for a 7-0 record.

La Salle and Adamson, tied at 3-4 along with idle Ateneo, collide in the first game at 2 p.m.

NU, also locked in a three-way tie at 4-3 with University of Santo Tomas and University of the East, noted how every game will be crucial.

“The standings are so close that one win can get you up and one loss can get you down there,” said Altamirano. “Except for FEU, everyone  there is jampacked. That’s why we have to be really consistent with our game. We can’t have a day off.”

But the Bulldogs have to deal with an in sync FEU side that’s banking on the leadership of RR Garcia and top MVP contender Terrence Romeo.

All teams are coming from a two-week break as the league gave way to the country’s hosting of the Fiba Asia tournament.

“FEU is playing like a PBA team and it’s so hard to beat them,” said Altamirano.

Racela said even if the focus had been on his two stellar guards, it’s the entire team that fueled the Tamaraws’ perfect run.

“People really magnify the individual stats of some of our players, but one thing we often take for granted are the team stats,” said Racela. “It has been a collective effort.”