Tams live another day

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

The euphoria of victory had yet to subside when Far Eastern U stalwart Reymar Jose called a huddle on the Tamaraws’ side of the court.

The Tamaraws were fresh off a pulsating 62-61 victory over the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the Final Four, but skipper Jose was in no mood to celebrate just like their jubilant yellow-clad supporters last night at Mall of Asia Arena.

“In my heart, I just can’t accept that my collegiate career will end so soon,” Jose said in Filipino. “Whatever happens, we will continue to fight. That’s what I told my teammates.”

With Jose leading by example with 20 points and 23 rebounds, the Tamaraws sustained their difficult title-retention bid by beating the Eagles for the first time this season.

The Tamaraws snapped the Eagles’ six-game winning streak and got momentum going into their do-or-die encounter this Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The resilient Tamaraws clawed their way back from 10 points down in the final period, putting to naught a telling burst from Aaron Black that had given Ateneo a 49-39 advantage.

“We almost broke down in the third quarter,” said FEU coach Nash Racela. “It was a combination of a lot of things. There were some calls we didn’t like, and the players were losing their focus.”

Jose starred in the Tams’ fightback before Monbert Arong, who added 13 points, put the finishing touches to the victory that came even after King Eagle Thirdy Ravena hit two desperation triples, including one near midcourt at the buzzer.

Racela, who is set to leave FEU after this season to take over the TNT KaTropa in the PBA, was proud of the way his team fought to force the no-tomorrow duel.

“The players never gave up,” he said. “That’s how life goes. You find ways to survive. I never wanted this day or this game to be my last [in the UAAP].”