FEU nips Cesafi champion USC, notches NCC title

FEU Tamaraws as NCC Co Champions. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Far Eastern University took care of the last collegiate basketball game of the year and edged University of San Carlos 82-77 to become co-champions in the National Collegiate Championship Thursday at San Juan Arena.

After taking the UAAP trophy to Morayta, the Tamaraws would house the permanent NCC trophy in the latter half of 2016. Earlier, San Beda won the semifinal match to become the other champion.

“Honestly I didn’t know what to expect going into the game,” FEU head coach Nash Racela said who fielded six players who have yet to experience the UAAP. “It’s a good thing USC is not familiar with the players.”

It was a good thing indeed as the Tamaraws saw a rampaging Warriors stormed to cut an 11-point lead in the fourth to four, 74-70, when Charles Pepito made a jumper off the elbow.

But seldom-used Jojo Trinidad scored five unanswered points including a three-pointer from the top of the key with 1:27 left in the fourth to push the lead to nine, 79-70, for FEU.

Trinidad, who was part of the series mythical five, led the Tamaraws with 19 points while big man Ken Holmqvist, another member of the mythical five, had 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Ken’s brother Steve added 10 points for the UAAP champions.

Prince Orizu of FEU, and Ian Tagapan and Shooster Olago of USC rounded out the mythical five.

The Scores:
FEU 82 – Trinidad 19, Holmqvist K. 17, Holmqvist S. 10, Bienes 9, Orizu 8, Comboy 7, Ebona 4, Nunag 4, Lee Yu 2, Roxas 2, Delos Santos 0, Arong 0, Bayquin 0.
USC 77 – Tagapan 20, Olago 14, Toyambi 13, McAloney 9, Pepito 7, Ortega 6, Laguyo 5, Magat 3, Maconocido 0, Rabat 0, Lim 0, Ecarma 0.
Quarterscores: 24-16, 36-34, 57-49, 82-77.