Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
It’s been two years years since Arvin Tolentino and Hubert Cani left Ateneo for Far Eastern University, but the duo made sure the Blue Eagles felt the impact of their departure with the Tamaraws’ season on the line.
Returning to haunt their former team, Tolentino and Cani starred in each half as the Tamaraws dealt the top seed Eagles a stunning 80-67 defeat on Sunday night to forge a do-or-die clash for the second finals seat of UAAP Season 80 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Tolentino anchored the Tamaraws’ strong start, while Cani sparkled in the last two quarters as FEU lived to fight another day, while dealing Ateneo its second straight loss of the season, counting the setback to rival La Salle at the end of the second round of the eliminations.
“I don’t feel any regret transferring to FEU and wishing I was still with Ateneo, because they (Tamaraws) accepted me wholeheartedly,” said Tolentino in Filipino.
“The FEU mentality, the spirit, I’ve already adopted it at the start of the season.”
The rubber match, which will determine La Salle’s opponent in the best-of-three finals, is set this Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“It’s a sweet win, of course, but as coach Olsen (Racela) said, this game is finished and we have to focus on the next game,” said Cani, who poured eight of his 11 points in the second half.
“We know Ateneo is difficult to beat because they’re a very disciplined team.”
Ron Dennison fired 17 points and grabbed eight boards for the Tamaraws, who held the Eagles to a season low output in what FEU Racela described as his team’s best game of the season yet.
On his final year for the Tamaraws, Dennison said he was determined to prolong his career to one more game.
Dennison’s play rubbed off on his teammates as they seized control early and stopped every Ateneo counter in the second half where the Tamaraws led by as much as 17 points on Cani’s triple with under three minutes remaining.
“I didn’t want my UAAP career to finish today,” said Dennison.
“I want to play in the finals. In our last practice, I told the team to give everything and leave our fears behind.”
The Tamaraws played with a spring in their step, closing out on Ateneo’s gunners, while beating them to offensive rebounds on the other end, particularly in the second half, where they had 14 second-chance points.
Richard Escoto had nine points and grabbed five offensive boards, typifying FEU’s workmanlike display on both ends of the floor.
“Definitely, this is our best game,” said Racela. “We were confident that we can finish strong. But what we did was take Ateneo’s twice-to-beat advantage. But we’ll have to play better them again on Wednesday.”