MANILA, Philippines—Far Eastern University’s depth will be put to test when the Tamaraws shoot for the first Final Four berth minus veteran forward Reil Cervantes Saturday.
Coach Glenn Capacio said he plans to maximize his frontcourt rotation as the Tamaraws try to seal a semifinal spot with a ninth win against the University of Santo Tomas Tigers in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the PhilSports Arena.
“Our four other big men have to step up and Aldrech (Ramos) will just have to play more minutes,” said Capacio.
League officials earlier turned down FEU’s appeal to reconsider the one-game suspension slapped on Cervantes.
The Tamaraws, who hold a league-leading 8-1 record, remain favored against a UST side aiming to halt a four-game skid at 4 p.m.
Adamson, sharing second with Ateneo at 7-2, targets an eighth victory against the University of the East at 2 p.m.
“Our main concern is complacency,” said Adamson coach Leo Austria. “Complacency is a dangerous thing because if it sets in, anyone can beat us.”
A fifth straight victory will assure the Falcons at least a playoff for the Final Four.
Cervantes was slapped with a one-game ban for incurring his second unsportsmanlike foul, the last a dangerous clothesline tackle on UE guard Paul Lee in Sunday’s game won by the Tamaraws in overtime, 83-77.
Anton Bringas and Carl Bryan Cruz are expected to fill in for Cervantes, who averaged 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in the Tamaraws’ sweep of the first round.
Capacio said a knee injury still bothers Pipo Noundou, but the Cameroonian will still see action despite “playing only at 70 percent.”
The seldom-used Cruz already had a breakout game in the first round, drilling 16 points in the Tamaraws’ 84-80 double overtime triumph over La Salle.
“We know that their (Tigers) backs are against the wall, so we really expect them to play well and come out strong right in the first quarter,” said Capacio. “Their three-point shooting is still our main concern.”
UST banked on the hot shooting of Clark Bautista and Jeric Fortuna in their early wins.
The Falcons are coming off a thrilling 81-76 double overtime win Sunday over the Tigers.
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