UAAP: FEU gets back at NU in finals rematch

Mike Tolomia reacts as Far Eastern University exacted revenge on defending champion National University with a 61-59 win on Wednesday during the two teams’ first meeting since last year’s finals. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Far Eastern University got back at defending champion National University, 61-59, in the two team’s first meeting since last year’s finals matchup in the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Mike Tolomia shot 19 points, including back-t0-back triples inside the final two and a half minutes of the game that gave the lead for good to the Tamaraws.

Francis Tamsi sealed the 6-1 record and a share of the first place for the Tamaraws with a clutch interception of Alfred Aroga’s pass with less than 10 seconds remaining in the game.

He then deliberately missed the two free throws after getting fouled with two seconds left in the game.

Tamaraws head coach Nash Racela said a finals rematch against NU was “just another game” and he wanted to instill the mindset to his players going in.

“Before the game I told them ‘this is just another game to play correctly, to play with a lot of intensity,'” Racela said. “We didn’t think we were up against the defending champions but it’s good to beat the defending champions.”

Kyle Neypes tied the game at 52-52 with a fader on the 2:32 mark off the fourth but Tolomia deflated the NU crowd with his triples from the top of the key to give FEU a 58-52 lead with 1:48 remaining.

Tamaraws big man Prince Orizu then put a power finish with a two-handed dunk to follow up Mac Belo’s missed free throw for a 61-54 lead with 1:14 remaining.

Alfred Aroga, who made NU’s lone field goal in the third quarter, had 19 points and 14 rebounds for the 3-4 Bulldogs.