Tams gain Final 4; Warriors score

MANILA, Philippines—Far Eastern University bucked the absence of a key player to down University of Santo Tomas, 76-67, and claim the first Final Four berth in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament Saturday at the PhilSports Arena.   Aldrech Ramos ably filled the void left by suspended teammate Reil Cervantes and rookie guard Terrence Romeo came through in the second half to lead the Tamaraws to their ninth victory in 10 games.   “I’m happy that everyone stepped up, especially the big men,” said FEU coach Glenn Capacio.   “We have a rotation of up to 12 players. That’s the good thing about our team, we’re not relying on just one player.”   Ramos pumped in a game-high 21 points aside from collecting 15 rebounds, six assists and two blocks.   Romeo, the top contender for the Rookie of the Year plum, scored all his 13 points in the final two quarters to help the Tamaraws go up by as many as 14 points, 71-57, with less than three minutes left.   Earlier, University of the East snapped Adamson’s four-game winning streak with a 71-63 victory that spoiled the Falcons’ bid to secure at least a semifinal playoff.   James Martinez and Ken Acibar accounted for UE’s last 15 points and the Warriors capitalized on the Falcons’ consecutive turnovers to pull away from a 56-56 deadlock in the last seven minutes.   The Falcons, who failed to score from the field in the final 2:50 of the game, slipped to third with a 7-3 slate.   FEU main man RR Garcia, the leading MVP contender, finished with a personal low of 11 points, but remains as the only player in the league to score in double figures every game.   Cervantes, who averaged 11.9 points,  6.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in the first round,  served a one-game suspension after incurring two unsportsmanlike fouls.   “Since Reil wasn’t there, I just made sure to double my efforts,” said Ramos, a member of the Smart Gilas national team.   Romeo, who went 5-of-6 from the field in the second half, shot eight points in the fourth quarter to lead the Tamaraws out of a tight 59-56 contest.   The Tigers skidded to their fifth straight loss to join the Warriors, last year’s runner-up, at sixth place with similar 3-7 cards.   Martinez knocked in a game-high 16 points, including back-to-back triples that sparked the Warriors’ late run. Acibar added 15 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks.   “We know what’s at stake,” said UE mentor Lawrence Chongson. “We know our season is on the line. But this win is not even an assurance. If La Salle wins two more, it’s over. So we’re just hoping for the best.”   The scores:
First Game
UE 71—Martinez 16, Acibar 15, Casajeros  14, Lee 8, Rosopa 4, Zamar 4, Tagarda 4, Noble 4, Duran 2, Enguio 0, Reyes 0.
ADAMSON 63—Colina 14, Camson 13, Alvarez 11, Nuyles 6, Galinato 6, Lozada 4, Stinnett 3, Etrone 3, Cabrera 3, Manyara 0, Cañada 0.
Quarters: 16-15, 36-30, 49-53, 71-63
Second Game  
FEU 76—Ramos 21, Romeo 13, Garcia 11, Cruz 8, Bringas 7, Noundou 6, Mendoza 3, Sanga 2, Exciminiano 2, Cawaling 2, Knuttel 1. 
UST 67—Fortuna 12, Mariano 11, Camus 11, Teng 10, Bautista 10, Afuang 7, Daquioag 4, Aytona 2, Pe 0, Mamaril 0.
Quarters: 19-17, 34-28, 52-49, 76-67