FEU Tamaraws. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
There’s no disputing the incredible depth of Far Eastern University. And it’s all on them now as the Tamaraws try to overcome past demons and claim the UAAP men’s basketball championship Saturday.
“I think we learned our lesson from last year’s Finals,” said FEU coach Nash Racela. “I’m hoping it’s a good reminder for us to be humble, to work and correct things, so we get another win.”
The Tamaraws—who blew a 1-0 Finals series lead against National University last season—shoot for a sweep of University of Santo Tomas in Game 2 of their best-of-three title series.
“Last year, we were already so happy when we won Game 1,” said FEU star guard Mike Tolomia. “And the result of that, we were passive in Game 2.”
The title showdown is set at 3:30 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum, right after the 2 p.m. awarding ceremony of this season’s top performers, led by Most Valuable Player Kiefer Ravena of Ateneo.
Boasting a solid core and a reliable support crew, the Tamaraws vie to overwhelm the Tigers anew just like in their big Game 1 triumph, 75-64, last Wednesday.
The Tamaraws came out attacking on all fronts as Tolomia, Roger Pogoy, Mac Belo, Russel Escoto and Prince Orizu showed bravado while dropping huge numbers.
“It’s the luxury we have this year,” Racela said of his deep lineup.
The Tigers couldn’t say the same as the veteran duo of Kevin Ferrer and Karim Abdul wound up overworked and fagged out late in Game 1.
And the typically explosive Ed Daquioag also came out misfiring for the Tigers and finished with a paltry four points on a 1-of-7 shooting.
But the Tigers, who lost to the Tamaraws for the first time in three meetings, believe they have a strong chance of forging a winner-take-all.
“When you’re a player, you just have to go over the tiredness and not think about it,” said Abdul. “You just think about wining and that’s all that matters. Whatever obstacle that comes your way, you don’t look at it.”
“We’re not promising anything, we’re just going to do it,” said Daquioag. “We’ll bounce back.”
But the Tamaraws, who already own the league record for the most number of titles, can’t wait to put away its 20th crown.
“We just have to show more effort in Game 2,” said Belo.