FEU clinches first Final Four slot, top two on the horizon

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University became the first team to secure a Final Four spot after a hard-fought win over Adamson 90-73 in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Booking a ticket to the playoffs though, is just a step toward another goal within reach.

“The top two is really our goal. That is what the team really wants to achieve” said FEU assistant coach Eric Gonzales, filling in for head coach Nash Racela for the second straight game. Racela flew to Spain to fulfill his coaching duties with Gilas Pilipinas in the 2014 Fiba World Cup.

The Tamaraws had a hard time fending off the Falcons but not until the fourth quarter, where they went on a 28-13 scoring spree.

Roger Pogoy scored seven of his 12 in that period for FEU, which rolled to its seventh straight victory for a league-leading 10-2 slate.

Achie Iñigo had a team-high 18 points, 12 coming in the first half while Mike Tolomia and Mac Belo fired 17 apiece.

The also-ran Falcons, who led and blew a 12-point buffer in the first half, had nothing to lose and that made them dangerous. And for three quarters, they were right there with the Tamaraws, who took just a 62-60 edge entering the final frame.

“We shouldn’t wait until the fourth quarter to up our intensity. We should do that right at the start,” said Gonzales, who just turned 42.

Don Trollano scored a game-high 20 points while Adamson’s other veteran Jansen Rios tallied 16. The Falcons, who got out-rebounded by 17, fell to 0-12.

With the win, FEU needs two more wins to assure itself of a top two finish and a twice-to-beat advantage.

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