Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Far Eastern University got those explosive runs back.
After a string of tight games, the Tamaraws were at it again Wednesday on the way to claiming the solo lead at 8-1 in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.
But FEU coach Nash Racela didn’t exactly like how it played out as the lowly University of the Philippines hung around for three quarters before the Tamaraws dropped an 18-2 bomb in the final stretch for a 68-57 triumph.
“The veterans decided to play in that stretch, but they heard a lot from me—they weren’t defending their men,” said Racela. “I think they were underestimating the younger guys. They waited in the fourth quarter before they worked. It’s not a good sign for us.”
Before the UP win, the Tamaraws had looked unsteady with an average winning margin of 3.6 points in their last three games—a far cry from their whopping 17.5 winning average in their first four victories.
Roger Pogoy, who carried the Tamaraws early for a 17-point finish, noted: “All the other teams are adjusting.”
“That’s why we also have to adjust,” said FEU star Mac Belo, who unloaded nine of his 12 points in the pivotal fourth-quarter run.
For La Salle, the concern was keeping its poise down the stretch.
The Green Archers got off to a spirited start behind Jeron Teng and Thomas Torres, before holding off University of the East’s second-half fightback, 72-64, to gain solo third at 5-4.
The scores:
First Game
LA SALLE 72—Teng 20, Torres 15, Muyang 9, Rivero 8, Torralba 8, Perkins 7, Sargent 3, Langston 2, Navarro 0.
UE 64—Javier 14, Palma 14, Batiller 9, Varilla P. 8, Derige 6, Manalang 6, Charcos 5, Varilla J. 2, Abanto 0, De Leon 0, Gagate 0, Gonzales 0, Penuela 0, Yu 0.
Quarters: 19-16, 41-30, 55-50, 72-64
Second Game
FEU 68—Pogoy 17, Belo 12, Tolomia 11, Tamsi 9, Arong 8, Escoto Ru. 5, Jose 4, Orizu 2, Comboy 0, Dennison 0, Ebona 0, Holmqvist 0, Iñigo 0, Trinidad 0.
UP 57—Dario 16, Manuel 11, Desiderio 8, Asilum 6, Kone 4, Amar 3, Juruena 3, Gallarza 2, Harris 2, Moralde 2, Jaboneta 0, Lim 0, Longa 0, Vito 0.
Quarters: 17-19, 33-28, 43-40, 68-57