SAN Sebastian’s Alvin Baetiong and UP’s Jett Manuel vie for the rebound in yesterday’s game. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
FAR EASTERN University held Emilio Aguinaldo College to a single point in the second quarter and cruised to a lopsided 73-52 victory that assured the Tamaraws a quarterfinal berth in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup yesterday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
The Tamaraws trailed by two after the opening period, 15-17, but surged ahead in the next 10 minutes as the Generals missed all 15 attempts from the field and only mustered a free throw from Hamadou Laminou.
“It’s a process,” said FEU coach Nash Racela, after the reigning UAAP titlists wrapped their elimination run at 4-3 to join Group A quarterfinalists National University (5-1) and Arellano (5-1).
“We’re trying to make them understand the concept of team defense. I think they’re slowly getting it.”
Monbert Arong sparked the retooled Tamaraws’ second-quarter turnaround to finish with 20 points, while Steve Holmqvist added 19.
San Sebastian also kept its playoff hopes alive even with a depleted lineup as the Stags downed University of the Philippines, 82-72.
Regile Ilagan fired 16 points to lift the Stags, who played sans top scorers Michael Calisaan and Jerrick Fabian.
Calisaan is out for at least a month after a recent motorcycle accident, while Fabian saw action for 17 minutes before a whiplash injury off a rebound scuffle put him out of the game.
“Everyone stepped up,” said coach Egay Macaraya after his Stags picked up their fourth win in seven outings.
The Generals bowed out with a 1-6 record, while the Maroons absorbed their fifth loss in seven games.
The scores:
First Game
FEU 73—Arong 20, Holmqvist S. 19, Escoto 7, Nunag 7, Dennison 5, Orizu 2, Trinidad 2, Tuffin 2, Bienes 2, Holmqvist K. 2, Delfinado 2, Ebona 2, Comboy 1, Delos Santos 0, Inigo 0, Lee Yu 0.
EAC 52—Laminou 15, Munsayac 14, Guzman 10, Aguas 4, Pascua 3, Diego 2, Mendoza 2, Umali 2, Corilla 0, Estacio 0, Neri 0, General 0, Aderes 0.
Quarters: 15-17, 34-18, 51-34, 73-52
Second Game
SAN SEBASTIAN 82—Ilagan 16, Capobres 12, Costelo 11, Fabian 10, Bulanadi 9, David 6, Gayosa 6, Baetiong 4, Serajosef 4, Johnson 2, Valdez 1, Mercado 1, Quipse 0, Miguel 0.
UP 72—Desiderio 26, Manuel 10, Dario 5, Lao 5, Romero 5, Webb 4, Tekoudjou 3, Bederi 3, Harris 2, Vito 2, Jaboneta 2, Sablan 2, Abarcar 2, Lim 1, Moralde 0, Battad 0, Longa 0, Espanola 0.
Quarters: 16-17, 36-35, 56-53, 82-72