UAAP Finals: FEU takes Game 1 vs NU, 75-70

By: 10 years ago

MANILA, Philippines – The Far Eastern University Tamaraws seized game one of their best of three Finals series against the National University Bulldogs, 75-70, at the Mall of Asia Arena Saturday.

Mike Tolomia topscored for the Tamaraws with 15 points although it was Roger Pogoy who helped pad the FEU lead to 10, 60-50, by scoring 10 of his 14 points, in that decisive third quarter.

Photo by RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net

With the win, the Tamaraws move closer to regaining the title they last won nine years ago.

When asked in a post-game conference what the Tamaraws did to pull away from the Bulldogs at the start of the second quarter, Coach Nash Racela said they just “went back to their strengths”.

“Against NU, we had to go back to our strengths,” said Racela whose team beat defending champion La Salle twice in the semi-finals enroute to the Finals.

Pogoy said he was left open every time Tolomia and Mac Belo were guarded and considered it a “blessing” that he could convert those shots.

Meanwhile, Alfred Aroga topscored for NU with 17 while Gelo Alolino, the hero in NU’s do-or-die match with Ateneo, had 12.

The Bulldogs, who are making their Finals appearance after 44 years, are expected to make adjustments when they face the Tamaraws in Game 2 of the Finals at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The scores:

FEU (75) – Tolomia 15, Pogoy 14, Inigo 12, Belo 8, Hargrove 8, Jose 8, Dennison 5, Tamsi 3, Cruz 2, Ru.Escoto 0.

NU (70) – Aroga 17, Alolino 14, Rosario 12, Khobuntin 9, Celda 7, Javelona 3, Beteyene 3, Alejandro 3, Diputado 2, Neypes 0, Perez 0.