Tams sweep Archers, grab solo UAAP lead

LA SALLE’S Arnold Van Opstal soars for a rebound against Raymar Jose (left) and Mike Tolomia of FEU. RODEL ROTONI

Mike Tolomia caught fire in the second half as Far Eastern University snapped La Salle’s seven-game winning streak with a 74-70 decision to grab the solo lead in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Tolomia poured in 19 of his 22 points in the second half, including the Tamaraws’ last five points inside the final 14.8 seconds that sealed their eighth victory in 10 games.

“Mike had good instinct,” FEU coach Nash Racela said of Tolomia, who nailed the dagger basket after grabbing a huge offensive rebound off his own miss at the foul line.

Tolomia, who came out of the hospital just a day earlier due to fever, also had five boards, three assists and no turnovers to lead the Tamaraws to an elimination sweep of the defending champion Archers.

Earlier, University of Santo Tomas unveiled a surprise in Regie Basibas as the Tigers rolled back University of the Philippines, 77-65, to keep their Final Four bid alive.

The seldom-used Basibas, a rookie forward from Arellano High School, dropped half of his 16 points in the Tigers’ fourth-quarter outburst and had a game-high 18 rebounds.

“We have injured players, so we really needed players who can step up,” said coach Bong dela Cruz after his Tigers improved to 5-5 despite the absence of Kevin Ferrer (fractured hand) and Ed Daquioag (sprained ankle).

Karim Abdul teamed up with Basibas in the Tigers’ pivotal run to finish with 21 points, 12 boards and four blocks.

The Archers fell to a share of second with Ateneo and National U at 7-3.

The Maroons, out of contention with a 1-9 card, played minus their head coach after Rey Madrid got ejected in the first quarter.

Madrid, who faces possible suspension, went ballistic over an alleged non-call and got slapped with a technical foul twice for entering the court and for continuous complaining.

The scores:

First Game

UST 77—Abdul 21, Basibas 16, Mariano 13, Vigil 11, Subido 7, Sheriff 4, Gayosa 2, Lo 2, Lao 1, Dela Cruz 0, Pe 0.

UP 65—Reyes 22, Dario 9, Gingerich 9, Vito 8, Gallarza 7, Moralde 4, Lao 3, Juruena 3, Asilum 0, Amat 0, Harris 0, Bederi 0.

Quarters: 20-11, 36-29, 54-52, 77-65

Second Game

FEU 74—Tolomia 22, Belo 11, Iñigo 10, Escoto 7, Pogoy 7, Jose 5, Cruz 4, Tamsi 4, Hargrove 4, Dennison 0, Ugsang 0.

LA SALLE 70—Teng 28, Torres 13, Perkins 8, Vosotros 7, Van Opstal 5, Sargent 4, Montalbo 3, Rivero 2, Andrada 0, Bolick 0, Tratter 0.

Quarters: 15-19, 26-35, 52-51, 74-70