The Tamaraws are headed back to the finals. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Far Eastern University is back in the finals of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament after a thrilling 76-74 win over Ateneo Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
A last-second putback from Mac Belo that came after a wild sequence with the game tied and time running out gave the Tamaraws their second straight appearance in the UAAP Finals.
After Adrian Wong botched a chance to give the lead to Ateneo, Tamaraws head coach Nash Racela knew he need not call a timeout as the players alreadu had an idea on what to do in that type of scenario.
Tolomia got the ball milked the clock away before he exploded to the basket for a missed layup. Fortunately for the Tamaraws, Belo was there to turn the miss into gold with 0.5 seconds remaining.
“My players knew what to do actually Mike already knew, he milked the clock out and then went for the attack,” Racela said. “What he did showed his maturity.”
The game-winner capped an all-around performance from Belo who finished with 15 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Roger Pogoy and Mike Tolomia had 16 and 13 points, respectively.
FEU will face the victor of the University of Santo Tomas-National University match up.
“We can’t say really [that it’s our time], but that’s the goal for us,” said Racela.
League MVP Kiefer Ravena had 25 points to lead all scorers but his effort was for naught as he bids the Blue Eagles farewell. Fellow senior Von Pessumal had 17 points.
“It was hard because Kiefer [Ravena] and [Adrian] Wong were hitting their jumpers, but I though we defended them well,” said Racela.
The Blue Eagles, who actually got 57 of their 74 points from Ravena, Wong, who had 17 points, and Pessumal.
Ravena gave Ateneo a 74-71 lead with 2:20 remaining after five unanswered.
Pogoy, however, answered from deep to tie the game at 74-74 with 1:07 remaining. Bong Lozada/INQUIRER.net