UAAP: Far Eastern U tightens grip of third spot with tight win vs Adamson

Cris Tolomia of FEU goes for a layup off John Brondial of Adamson. Photo by August de la Cruz

MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University foiled Adamson University, 62-61, but not before the Falcons staged a ferocious fourth quarter fightback Sunday in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

Reigning MVP RR Garcia, fresh from a phenomenal showing last Thursday against UP, delivered a clutch lay-in off a tremendous defensive stop by FEU with 45.7 seconds remaining which stretched the lead back to six.

Garcia’s basket gave the Tamaraws, who tightened grip on the third spot with a 6-4 slate, a needed cushion for the Falcons’ dangerous last ditch rally in the ensuing 36 ticks.

Garcia underscored the win with 14 points, even as veteran Aldrech Ramos rung in 18 points and 10 boards for FEU, who led by 15-points twice on baskets by Garcia and Ramos.

Lester Alvarez released a quick triple which Alex Nuyles followed up with a short stab with 8.3 ticks from a faulty pass by Terrence Romeo which brought them to within a point.

But the Falcons were left with no timeouts and took to long to foul which gave them just 1.3 seconds to hoist a shot to no avail, after Carl Cruz intentionally missed his second freebie for the Tamaraws.

Nuyles paced the Falcons, who trailed most of the contest with only the streak-shooting guard carrying the cudgels, with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Second-stingers, led by Jerrick Canada, tried to spark a run in the third quarter but was doused by sharp back-to-back layups and a feed to Ramos by Garcia at the start of the fourth.

Adamson, though, remained second-best in the standings behind Ateneo with a 7-3 record.