FEU tramples EAC, advances to Filoil quarterfinals

Monbert Arong leads the Tamaraws. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Far Eastern University clamped down on the woeful Emilio Aguinaldo College, 73-52, to advance to the quarterfinal stages of the Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup Friday at San Juan Arena.

Defense was the calling card of the Tamaraws as they limited the Generals to just a single point, a Laminou Hamadou free throw, in the second quarter marking the worst scoring performance in a quarter in the offseason tournament.

FEU scored 17 second quarter points to take a 34-18 lead at the half.

Despite his team’s stingy defense in the second period, Tamaraws head coach Nash Racela wasn’t all too pleased after letting the Generals bounce back with a 16-point run against their 17.

But the Tamaraws, still in transition after the departure of scoring trio Mike Tolomia, Mac Belo, and Roger Pogoy, ultimately cruised to their fourth win against three losses.

Racela admits that the UAAP defending champions are still without a legitimate go-to guy down the stretch.

“It’s a process, at least we’re trying to make them understand team defense, I think they’re slowly getting it,” said Racela. “It starts with our individual defense, to be a really good defensive team, dapat individually magaling ka.”

“It did not show, marami kaming binigay sa kalaban na dapat hindi ibigay.”

Monbert Arong and Steve Holmqvist led the Tamaraws with 20 and 19 points, respectively.

Hamadou had 15 points, all coming from the free throw line, and 17 rebounds to lead the 1-6 Generals.