Despite missing its two stars, Far Eastern University hacked out an 83-73 triumph over San Sebastian in the Luzon-Metro Manila Sweet 16 of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) yesterday at Ynares Sports Arena.
Mac Belo shone with a double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds and guard Achie Iñigo also stepped up with 14 points, six boards and four assists for the Tamaraws, who played for the first time without the pro-bound RR Garcia and this season’s UAAP Most Valuable Player Terrence Romeo.
“Life without RR and Terrence is a different feeling, but we’re just looking at the positives,” said FEU coach Nash Racela. “It’s going to be hard moving forward without them.”
The Tamaraws advanced against National University, which turned back University of the East, 73-63, in the other Sweet 16 battle.
Ray Parks had another huge outing of 18 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, while Joshua Alolino drilled seven of his 15 points in the last six minutes to help the Bulldogs stay ahead.
The winner between the 2 p.m. match on Monday will go up against the survivor of the University of Santo Tomas-Letran knockout contest at 4 p.m.
Anthony Hargrove added 14 points and 15 rebounds for the Tamaraws, while Mike Tolomia also had an all-around game of 11 points, six boards and eight assists.
“We’re making do with what we have,” said Racela.
The Bulldogs ended the tournament run of the Warriors, who came all the way from the Metro Manila qualifiers. Alolino scored six of the Bulldogs’ eight points in one stretch in the fourth period as the Bulldogs turned a slim 58-55 lead into a 66-57 cushion.
The scores:
First Game
NU 73—Parks 18, Alolino 15, Perez 12, Roño 8, Alejandro 8, Neypes 6, Khobuntin 4, Rosario 2, Villamor 0, Javelona 0, Javillonar 0.
UE 63—Sumang 20, Mammie 13, Galanza 9, Alberto 9, Olivarez 5, Jumao-as 2, Guion 2, Javier 2, Noble 1, Casajeros 0, Sumido 0, Olayon 0.
Quarters: 21-11, 39-30, 56-44, 73-63
Second Game
FEU 83—Belo 19, Iñigo 14, Hargrove 14, Tolomia 11, Cruz 9, Mendoza 8, Pogoy 4, Sentcheu 4, Luz 0, Lee Yu 0, Dennison 0, Delfinado 0, Aguilon 0, Jose 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 73—Perez 20, De Vera 13, Guinto 13, Dela Cruz 12, Ortuoste 10, Rebollos 3, Vergara 2, Magno 0, Tano 0, Aquino 0, Trinidad 0, Gusi 0, Balucanag 0.
Quarters: 23-16, 46-35, 63-52, 83-73