Tamaraws hit by player injuries

MANILA, Philippines - Third seed Far Eastern University will be a “walking wounded” team when the Tams battle the No. 2 Adamson Falcons in tomorrow’s UAAP Season 74 Final Four as five of its players are nursing an assortment of injuries.

Guard Chris Exciminiano, the Tams’ designated defensive stopper against the opposing squad’s top wingmen, suffered a left ankle injury during FEU’s 66-57 win over La Salle last Sunday.

But according to coach Bert Flores, Exciminiano has been cleared to play.

“Tests showed no fracture and he’s undergone therapy. Doctors said he’ll be 100 percent okay for Thursday,” said Flores of his enforcer, who had to be helped by JR Cawaling on his way towards the dugout in the first quarter of the DLSU game.

“We need him (Exciminiano) because we have to contain Alex Nuyles in order to have a chance of winning against Adamson,” said Flores.

Rookie Russel Escoto is playing with hand injury while Cawaling (knee), Christian Sentcheu (fractured foot), and Pippo Noundou (Achilles tendon) have been on sick bay for some time.

Flores said veteran Cawaling, big man Sentcheu, and forward Noundou, who’s never seen action this season, have recovered and could be used for “quality minutes” against the Falcons.

The Tams have to beat the Falcons twice to qualify for the best-of-three finale. The other Final Four duel pits defending champion and top seed Ateneo against No. 4 University of Santo Tomas.