FAR Eastern University may have no clear-cut leader yet, but it’s a situation coach Nash Racela doesn’t mind for his defending champion crew.
“It’s two ways—some would say it’s not good if you don’t have a go-to player, but at the same time, it’s hard to defend a team without (someone who is always expected to make the shot),” said Racela. “I think we’ll just take advantage of that idea.”
Unlike last season when FEU leaned on a star trio, the Tamaraws relied on a balanced production to get past the Adamson Falcons, 75-65, yesterday at Smart Araneta Coliseum for their first win in the UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball tournament.
On the same day the Tamaraws reasserted their might, National University sustained its solid form to grab a share of the lead at 2-0.
Rev Diputado and Matt Salem fueled NU’s second-half blitz as the Bulldogs ripped the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 70-60, to join idle La Salle on top.
“We turned it into a defensive game and it worked well for us,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano.
The Bulldogs held Ateneo’s Aaron Black and Thirdy Ravena to a combined six points, just a week after the duo teamed up for 40 in their win over University of Santo Tomas.
Diputado unloaded 16 points, seven coming in the fourth that helped the Bulldogs fend off the Eagles’ rally.
Salem also fired nine of his 12 points in the third period as the Bulldogs pulled away at 51-37, after a halftime deadlock at 32.
The Tamaraws, who are reeling from the graduation of stars Mac Belo, Mike Tolomia and Roger Pogoy, rebounded from a loss to preseason favorite La Salle, 83-78, to join Ateneo, Adamson and idle UST at 1-1.
The scores:
First Game
FEU 75—Iñigo 13, Escoto 13, Jose 11, Bayquin 9, Arong 7, Holmqvist 5, Orizu 3, Nunag 3, Tuffin 3, Dennison 2, Trinidad 2, Comboy 2, Bienes 2, Ebona 0, Denila 0.
ADAMSON 65—Ahanmisi 19, Sarr 11, Mustre 10, Manalang 8, Manganti 6, Espeleta 4, Camacho 3, Pasturan 2, Ochea 2, Tungcab 0, Ng 0, Bernardo 0.
Quarters: 13-14, 32-28, 53-45, 75-65
Second Game
NU 70—Diputado 16, Salem 12, Aroga 11, Morido 10, Alejandro 8, Salim 4, Diputado 4, Rangel 2, Gallego 2, Pate 1, Abatayo 0, Mosqueda 0, Yu 0, Go 0, Sinclair 0.
ATENEO 60—Nieto Mi. 14, Wong 9, Asistio 8, Ikeh 8, Nieto Ma. 7, Babilonia 4, Black 4, Ravena 2, Go 2, Verano 2, Tolentino 0, Porter 0.
Quarters: 20-20, 32-32, 52-41, 70-60