Tamaraws whip Pirates in fight-hit Filoil match

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern University rolled past Lyceum, 72-50, yesterday but lost two key players to suspension in a fight-marred game that also saw a spectator storm into the court and punch an FEU player in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Pre-Season Cup at The Arena in San Juan City.

With the Tams way ahead at 69-46 with four minutes remaining in the contest, Clarence Foronda and Terrence Romeo were caught ganging up on Lyceum’s Faustine Pascual in a scuffle. The two Tams were slapped disqualifying fouls and were subsequently ejected from the court.

A spectator, later identified as former Letran Knight Andrei Mendoza, who was reportedly undergoing residency for the Pirates, entered the court and punched FEU’s Gryann Mendoza, triggering a melee.

Some FEU Players tried to chase Andrei Mendoza, who ran and locked himself inside the Lyceum dugout.

League commissioner Ato Badolato said Foronda and Romeo will be meted one-game suspension each and added that he will recommend that Andrei Mendoza be banned from entering the arena.

“I will also inform the NCAA about this so they can sanction this player,” said Badolato.

Romeo, who had engaged Pascual to a verbal tussle all game long, allegedly threw the first punch against the Lyceum cager with Foronda delivering the second blow.

“It’s sad this incident happened,” said FEU coach Bert Flores.

Garcia and Arvie Bringas led FEU with 11 points apiece while Cris Tolomia added 10 markers for the Tams, who evened their card at 1-1. Lyceum fell to 0-3.

Earlier, University of Santo Tomas held off Perpetual Help, 70-66, as Karim Abdul scored 14 points and hauled down 12 rebounds and Jeric Fortuna added 13 markers.

Kevin Ferrer also had 11 points and nine rebounds, scoring the key baskets down the stretch to help preserve the win for the Tigers.

Aljon Mariano chipped in 14 points, all coming in the third period for UST, which dropped a 54-70 blowout loss to San Beda last week.

“Our team has yet to develop chemistry,” said UST mentor Pido Jarencio in Filipino. “But I think its better that we play poorly now than in the UAAP season itself, at least we have a chance to improve.”        

First Game

UST 70 – Abdul 14, Mariano 14, Fortuna 13, Ferrer 11, Teng 9, Pe 4, Afuang 2, Garrido 2, Lao 1, Bautista 0, Lo 0, Tan 0, Mamaril 0, Hainga 0.

Perpetual 66– Vidal 16, Thompson 12, Elopre 9, Paulino 9, Dabayemi 7, Arboleda 3, Canuza 1, Baloria 0.

Quarterscores: 13-13; 27-28; 55-51; 70-66

Second Game

FEU 72 – Garcia 11, Bringas A. 11, Tolomia 10, Belo 8, Hargrove 7, Pogoy 6, Romeo 5, Bringas M. 4, Escoto 4, Foronda 3, Jumao-as 2, Mendoza 1, Inigo 0.

Lyceum 50 – Guevarra 8, Ko 8, Cayabyab 6, Mallari 6, Azores 5, Laude 5, Francisco 4, Pascual 4, Zamora 4, Ambohot 0, Garcia 0, Mendoza 0, Edding 0.

Quarterscores: 23-14; 32-29; 53-37; 72-50