FEU, UP hang tough

Far Eastern University’s talent and firepower have never been in doubt in the UAAP Season 81 basketball tournament, but Tamaraws coach Olsen Racela questions his players’ approach to each game.

Fortunately for Racela, the Tamaraws, who have lost to two of the worst-ranked teams this season, have shown the ability to up its gear against squads in the upper half of the standings.

Arvin Tolentino delivered an efficient offensive performance while the rest of the Tams put together an incredible defensive effort in the extra period that took down the erstwhile unbeaten Adamson Falcons, 88-85, in overtime on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Struggling with his shots this season, Tolentino finally found his groove with 19 points in 19 minutes, although the Tamaraws needed every ounce of energy in the end to finish off the Falcons, who rallied from 15 down in the fourth quarter to force overtime.

“We have to stay consistent with our approach to each game regardless of which team we’re facing,” said Racela.

The Tamaraws would have been 6-0 rather than 4-2 had it not suffered upset defeats to University of the East and University of Santo Tomas.

Against the Falcons, there was no questioning the Tamaraws’ desire and will to win in the extra period as Wendell Comboy, a player known for his offense, put the clamps on Adamson gunner Sean Manganti while Barkley Ebona, delivered the basket off a turnover that gave FEU an 86-83 edge.

The Falcons missed all their nine field goals in overtime as they lost for the first time in six games, allowing Ateneo to tie them on top at 5-1.

Earlier, brothers Javi and Juan Gomez De Liano sparkled as University of the Philippines picked up a second straight victory after surviving a hard-fighting National U, 89-88.

Nigerian Bright Akhuetie produced 21 points and 20 boards, while the De Liano brothers combined for 39 points with the older Javi finishing with a career-best 19 points for UP, which tied La Salle in fourth spot at 3-3.

The scores:

First Game

UP 89—Akhuetie 21, Gomez de Liano Ju 20, Gomez de Liano Ja 19, Desiderio 14, Manzo 8, Dario 6, Prado 1, Jaboneta 0, Murrell 0, Gozum 0, Lim 0

NU 88—Ildefonso D 20, Sinclair 13, Gallego 13, Ildefonso S 12, Gaye 11, Clemente 9, RIke 4, Diputado 3, Morido 2, Yu 1, Joson 0, Aquino 0, Malonzo 0, Tibayan 0, Galinato 0.

Quarters: 26-20, 47-40, 70-62, 89-88

Second Game

FEU 88—Tolentino 19, Cani 14, Comboy 13, Ebona 9, Escoto 8, Gonzales 8, Parker 7, Orizu 6, Inigo 2, Tuffin 2, Stockton 0.  ADAMSON 85—Ahanmisi 21, Manganti 20, Sarr 15, Camacho 10, Lastimosa 8, V. Magbuhos 4, Espeleta 3, Pingoy 2, Zaldivar 2, Bernardo 0, Catapusan 0, Colonia 0, Mojica 0.

Quarters: 16-19, 43-34, 67-52, 80-80 (reg), 88-85