Tigers, Tams seek last slot
UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University will dispute the last Final Four berth today after posting separate Sweet 16 victories yesterday in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League.
The Tigers waxed hot from beyond the arc in the second half to hack out a 77-60 triumph over Letran while the Tamaraws turned their game around after the break to down National University, 88-70, on the penultimate day of the Sweet 16 Luzon-Metro Manila division at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
“We enjoyed the game,” said UST coach Pido Jarencio. “We only have nine players but they really wanted to play.”
The winner of today’s 4 p.m. knockout match will join UAAP champion La Salle, NCAA titlist San Beda and Sweet 16 Visayas-Mindanao winner Southwestern University in the round-robin semifinals starting Monday.
Led by Clark Bautista, the Tigers shot 21 of their 25 points from three-point range in the final quarter to pull away by 26 points, 77-51.
Bautista unloaded 21 of his 23 points from beyond the arc, while Kevin Ferrer (13), Karim Abdul (11 and 17 rebounds) and Kim Lo (11) joined the scoring barrage.
Anthony Hargrove fired 28 points on top of 13 rebounds and a couple of blocks in 24 minutes of action as the Tamaraws humbled the Bulldogs in the shaded area in the second half.
Mike Tolomia contributed 18 of his 24 points in the second half as the Tamaraws took a 52-43 advantage from 36-42 at halftime.
The scores:
First Game
FEU 88—Hargrove 28, Tolomia 24, Mendoza 11, Belo 9, Dennison 5, Cruz 4, Iñigo 3, Pogoy 2, Sentcheu 2,Luz 0, Lee Yu 0, Delfinado 0, Aguilon 0, Jose 0.
NU 70—Parks 21, Alolino 11, Perez 10, Javillonar 10, Neypes 7, Roño 3, Alejandro 3, Rosario 2, Khobuntin 2, Labing-isa 1, Villamor 0, Javelona 0.
Quarters: 16-21, 36-42, 65-53, 88-70
Second Game
UST 77—Bautista 23, Ferrer 13, Abdul 11, Lo 11, Daquioag 7, Sheriff 6, Pe 6, Faundo 0, Hainga 0.
LETRAN 60—Cruz 18, Publico 10, Racal 9, Gabawan 9, Belorio 5, Ruaya 5, Buenaflor 2, Luib 2, Tambeling 0, Po 0.
Quarters: 16-24, 33-32, 52-42, 77-60
