MANILA, Philippines—Far Eastern University punched in the victory it needed to seal its hold of the No. 1 spot.
RR Garcia, although failing to finish in double figures for the first time this season, knocked in the basket that lifted the Tamaraws past the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 74-72, at the end of the UAAP men’s basketball eliminations yesterday at the jampacked Araneta Coliseum.
Saddled by early foul trouble, Garcia buried a clutch triple with 42.6 seconds left to give the lead back for good to the Tamaraws, 73-72, after trailing by as many as six, 63-69, heading into the final three minutes.
“RR has saved us so many times in 14 games,” said FEU coach Glenn Capacio of Garcia, the second-year guard who also virtually clinched year’s MVP honors.
The Tamaraws wrapped up the double-round competition at 12-2, the school’s best elimination record since its 2005 championship run.
“This is the only time that we finished No. 1 since 2005, hopefully we get the same results,” said Capacio.
Ateneo settled for the No. 2 spot at 10-4. The defending champion needed to post at least a three-point victory to earn a higher quotient and steal the top spot from the Tamaraws.
The Final Four starts on Thursday with the Tamaraws, toting a twice-to-beat advantage, going up against the fourth-ranked La Salle Green Archers at 4 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Blue Eagles, similarly brandishing a semifinal bonus, battle the third-seeded Adamson Falcons in the other semifinal pairing at 4 p.m. on Sunday also at the Big Dome.
Terrence Romeo, a shoo-in for the Rookie of the Year plum, stepped up in the second half as Garcia rode the bench after picking up his fourth foul with still 5:57 left in the third quarter.
Romeo posted a double-double of 15 points, including a perfect 3-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc, and 10 rebounds.
“I told him to step up, because we also lost Jens [Knuttel, due to sore eyes],” said Capacio, who missed the services of five backup players due to various injuries and illness.
Garcia registered his lowest output of the season at eight points after averaging a league-best 17.5 markers.
Earlier, University of the East sent University of the Philippines down to another winless year for the second time in four seasons with a 67-61 decision.
James Martinez unloaded 11 of his 17 points in the second quarter to lead the Warriors, who won five of their seven games in the second round, to a sixth-best 6-8 record.
“We woke up a little too late,” said UE coach Lawrence Chongson of last year’s runner-up finishers.
Aldrech Ramos also had a double-double for the Tamaraws with 15 points and 11 boards, while Reil Cervantes added 14 markers.
The Tamaraws closed out the final three minutes with an 11-3 run starting with five straight points from Ramos and a Romeo jumper that pushed FEU within a bucket, 70-72, from 63-69.
Garcia then nailed the game-clinching triple, 73-72, before Cervantes’ free throw set the final score.
Ateneo coach Norman Black, who lost on his 100th game with the Eagles, shouted at the referees after the game over alleged non-calls in the closing minutes.
Ken Acibar and Raphy Reyes shot 11 points apiece to help the Warriors build a 20-point gap, 51-31, in the third period.
The Maroons, who matched their futile run in 2007, lost coach Aboy Castro two weeks into the season and his replacement, Boyet Fernandez, submitted his courtesy resignation early this week.
“It’s so sad that we ended at 0-14, but the players did their best,” said Fernandez. “The adjustments were a bit late. We had injuries. But I still take the blame.”
“I respect the managers and the UP administration to give them the free hand to choose whoever they want,” added Fernandez. “I offered my courtesy resignation, but still, I won’t leave UP until they find a new coach.”
The scores:
First Game
UE 67—Martinez 17, Reyes 11, Acibar 11, Rosopa 9, Lee 8, Enguio 5, Santos 2, Zamar 2, Tagarda 2, Hernandez 0, Casajeros 0. Sumido 0, Noble 0, Duran 0.
UP 61—Sison 21, Padilla 11, Silungan 9, Co 9, Saret 4, Maniego 4, Reyes Mi. 3, Pascual 0, Reyes Ma. 0
Quarters: 21-14, 36-29, 53-38, 67-61
Second Game
FEU 74—Romeo 15, Ramos 15, Cervantes 14, Sanga 11, Garcia 8, Bringas 6, Cawaling 4, Noundou 1, Mendoza 0, Exciminiano 0.
ATENEO 72—Buenafe 14, Salva 13, Salamat 12, Chua 11, Long 8, Monfort 6, Tiongson 5, Golla 2, Escueta 1, Dela Cruz 0, Austria 0.
Quarters: 16-17, 32-33, 54-50, 74-72
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