Tams, Red Lions advance to Elite Eight

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern U, a team looking to redeem itself from a sorry foldup in the closing stages of the recent UAAP tourney, returned to action with a flourish yesterday, whipping Arellano U, 69-59, at the start of the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Champions League Sweet 16 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Ryan Roose Garcia, FEU’s new take-charge guy on the exit of Mark Barroca, fired three triples and finished with 17 points, spearheading the Tams charge on the way to an Elite Eight entry in the tourney gathering the cream of varsity teams in the country.

Only 11 Tamaraws suited up for action but all responded to the challenge, taking the full measure of the fierce-fighting Arellano side as they advanced to the next round versus the winner of the University of the East-University of Cebu showdown Saturday at The Arena in San Juan.

“I’m happy the guys played a disciplined game. That’s the key against this Arellano team showing they can’t be taken for granted,” said FEU coach Glen Capacio.

“Now a possible rematch with UE or a showdown with the Cebuanos is up ahead. We have a job cut out for us against either of these two teams. We have to be ready,” Capacio said.

Capacio and his Tams have already matched their finish in this annual event last year. They topped Jose Rizal in the Sweet 16 before bowing to Letran in the Final Eight in the 2008 edition of this elite tourney offering P500,000 to the winner.

The Tams displayed a game that spoke well of their capability to contend for the 2009 crown, erecting a 14-point spread right in the opening period and holding on to foil the Chiefs’ upset bid.

San Beda, another team seeking redemption after being denied of a “four-peat” in the NCAA, got off to a flying start, blasting NAASCU champion San Sebastian-Cavite, 91-50, in the other game.

Bambam Gamalinda, playing his final season with SBC, logged 18 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, leading the Lions to their lopsided win over the Baycats.

The Lions, though short-handed minus some injured players, proved too much for the Baycats, having easy time marching to the second round of the event sponsored by PLDT, Smart, ABS-CBN, The Philippine STAR and Molten.