FEU forward Mac Belo soars for the layup against De La Salle. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Far Eastern University averted a major upset as it turned back Adamson, 64-60, to reclaim the solo lead in the standings in the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tournament Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Mike Tolomia buried a booming triple that capped a 10-2 run and put the Tamaraws ahead for good, 60-58, with 41.8 seconds left before Roger Pogoy and Mac Belo completed the team’s rally at the free throw line in the final 22.4 ticks.
“We’re still inconsistent,” said FEU coach Nash Racela, though, he commended the Tamaraws for cutting down on their turnovers. “From games where we had 24, 23 turnovers, we improved with 15.”
Russel Escoto led FEU’s balanced attack with 11 points while Mac Belo recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Mike Tolomia also had 10 points that went with six rebounds.
Though many expected FEU to blast Adamson, Racela said that he knew the Tamaraws are up for a big challenge against the Falcons.
“We expected a hard three games and every single game that we played was very hard,” Racela said after FEU had just wrapped up a tough week with hard-fought wins over University of the Philippines, University of the East.
Next up for the Tams, who hiked their record to 5-1, is a finals rematch with defending champion National University on Oct. 7.
Papi Sarr carried the load for Adamson, which remained as the only winless team at 0-6, with 26 points and 22 rebounds.
The Scores:
FEU 64 – Ru. Escoto 11, Belo 10, Tolomia 10, Pogoy 9, Iñigo 8, Jose 5, Arong 4, Tamsi 3, Ri. Escoto 2, Orizu 2, Dennison 0, Eboña 0, K. Holmqvist 0, S. Holmqvist 0, Trinidad 0.
ADAMSON 60 – Sarr 26, Nalos 9, Tungcab 7, Escalambre 6, Bernardo 2, Garcia 2, Margallo 2, Ng 2, Ochea 2, Polican 2, Camacho 0, Villanueva 0.