Final Four pairings settled as FEU defeats La Salle

FINAL FOUR BATTLE. Reigning MVP RR Garcia of FEU tries to regain his balance off Simon Atkins of La Salle, which lost the game, 66-57, on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Photo by August Dela Cruz

MANILA, Philippines—Far Eastern University clinched third place after repulsing De La Salle, 66-57, Sunday in the 74th UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Three FEU players combined for 54 points with reigning MVP RR Garcia leading the way with 19 points.

Aldrech Ramos added 18 points on top of 11 rebounds while Terrence Romeo shot 17 markers for the Tamaraws.

“We didn’t want to defend in the first half. And my players relied too much on one-on-one plays,” said FEU coach Bert Flores.

“I just told them (at halftime) to share the ball,” Flores added.

FEU, which faces second-running Adamson, led 64-53 on a Romeo basket with 2:19 left.

The other semifinal match features three-time champion Ateneo going against No. 4 University of Santo Tomas.

Ateneo and UST will clash at 12 noon on Thursday while Adamson and FEU will tangle at 3 p.m. with tickets sold separately.

DLSU skipper Simon Atkins, who played his last game as a Green Archer, bid farewell with 16 points, three rebounds and three assists.

Maui Villanueva, the other graduating player for La Salle, didn’t score but contributed with five rebounds and two assists.

La Salle finished with a 5-9 mark.