MANILA—RR Garcia exploded for 30 points as Far Eastern U survived its toughest game yet to oust La Salle, 73-68, on Monday and clinch a semifinal berth in the FilOil-Flying V Hanes Preseason Premier Cup.
Garcia, the reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player, sparked a second-quarter turnaround and kept his team ahead for good in the knockout quarterfinal win that stretched the Tamaraws’ winning run to nine games.
The Tamaraws will take on Ateneo next in a rematch of last year’s UAAP Finals as the Blue Eagles advanced to the semifinals with a 63-56 trouncing of Mapua in the first game at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
NCAA titlist San Beda also made it to the Final Four after blasting the University of the Philippines, 97-68, behind Garvo Lanete’s 23-point outing.
The Lions will clash with Adamson, which dethroned last year’s champion San Sebastian, 90-81, in the nightcap.
Lester Alvarez knocked in 21 of his 27 points from beyond the arc and Alex Nuyles and Roider Cabrera had 17 markers each to lead the Falcons.
Half of Garcia’s points came from three-point range, including a pair that gave the Tamaraws’ their first double-digit advantage, 43-33, in the third quarter.
“It was still RR’s experience that carried us,” said FEU coach Bert Flores of Garcia, who also grabbed five rebounds and dished out five assists.
“This was our hardest game because La Salle plays very good defense. They can pressure any team from start to finish.”
FEU’s big men also made good account of themselves with Aldrech Ramos posting 12 points and seven rebounds and Pippo Noundou recording eight markers and 17 boards.
The Archers, who got off to a hot 14-4 start, threatened within two in the last 9.9 seconds, 70-68, after triples from LA Revilla and Joseph Marata sandwiched a Jovet Mendoza bucket.
But free throws from Terrence Romeo and Noundou kept the Tamaraws on top for the final tally.
The Blue Eagles, who are bidding for a fourth straight UAAP crown this year, held off the Cardinals’ persistent rallies in the second half.
Ateneo’s blue-chip rookies stepped up as Greg Slaughter collected 13 points, five rebounds and four assists and Kiefer Ravena delivered with13 markers and four boards.
“I’m just happy that the team bounced back against Mapua after our loss to La Salle last Saturday,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black. “[Slaughter] played well despite getting lost in a lot of our offensive sets.”
San Beda’s Nigerian import Ola Adeogun recorded a double-double of 17 points and 12 boards, while Jake Pascual added 16 markers and eight boards off the bench.
The scores:
First Game
ATENEO 63—Slaughter 13, Ravena 13, Long 12, Salva 11, Chua 8, Sumalinog 4, Monfort 2, Austria 0, Golla 0, Tiongson 0.
MAPUA 56—Taha 24, Pascual 9, Mangahas 9, Ighalo 7, Banal 5, Ranises 2, Nimes 0, Sarangay 0, Parala 0, Stevens 0, Cantos 0.
Quarters: 16-12, 24-24, 45-39, 63-56
Second Game
SAN BEDA 97—Lanete 23, Adeogun 17, Pascual J. 16, Lim 9, Amer 8, Caram 6, Villahermosa 5, Pascual K. 4, Solera 4, Dela Rosa 3, Pontejos 2, Semerad 0, Koga 0.
UP 68—Silungan 15, Manuel 10, Gamboa 8, Romero 6, Lopez 6, Juruena 5, Ball 4, Gomez 4, Pascual 4, Montecastro 2, Mbah 2, Weirzba 0, Gingerich 0.
Quarters: 18-12, 45-28, 73-52, 97-68
Third Game
FEU 73—Garcia 30, Ramos 12, Noundou 8, Romeo 8, Cawaling 6, Cruz 5, Bringas 2, Exciminiano 1, Knuttel 1, Tolomia 0, Escoto 0.
LA SALLE 68—Mendoza 22, Revilla 7, Van Opstal 7, Paredes 7, Atkins 6, Andrada 6, Marata 4, Vosotros 4, Dela Paz 2, Sara 2, Villanueva 1, Tampus 0, Gotladera 0.
Quarters: 13-20, 31-25, 53-40, 73-68
The scores:
Fourth Game
ADAMSON 90—Alvarez 27, Nuyles 17, Cabrera 17, Camson 9, Colina 8, Etrone 5, Manyara 3, Cruz 2, Brondial 2, Cañada 0, Olalia 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 81—Abueva 32, Pascual 32, Sangalang 6, Dela Cruz 6, Antipuesto 2, Miranda 2, Del Rio 1, Ferrer 0, Maiquez 0, Vitug 0, Balucanag 0.
Quarters: 17-15, 46-35, 69-56, 90-81