MANILA, Philippines - After three close shaves, unbeaten Far Eastern University hacked out its most convincing win, walloping winless University of the East, 92-66, to remain the only unbeaten team in the UAAP Season 75 men’s basketball tournament at the MOA Arena yesterday.
“Pwede na. Nag-improve sa rebounding, okay yung assists, kahit yung bench nag-contribute. Malaking bagay ito going to next game against NU (Our performance was good enough. There was improvement in rebounding, more assists, and bench made sufficient contribution. This is a good buildup for the next game against NU),” said FEU coach Bert Flores.
At 4-0, the Tams are in their best start since sweeping the first round of the league in 2010.
Prior to the 26-point rout of the Warriors, the Tams went through the wringer in notching their first three wins – a come-from-behind 73-72 victory over Santo Tomas, a 48-46 decision over La Salle, and a 65-62 escape act over Adamson.
This left Flores longing for more from his wards.
Looking at the stats sheet, Flores expressed satisfaction with how the Tams controlled the boards, 45 against UE’s 40, how they did a better job sharing the ball, 24 versus 13 with RR Garcia and Terrence Romeo issuing eight assists apiece, and how they got more bench production, 33 against 22 while limiting their turnovers to a manageable 13.
Rodney Brondial scored on a putback with 18 seconds left as Adamson salvaged a 69-67 triumph over University of the Philippines despite squandering a 20-point lead in the other game.
Brondial (10 points, 15 rebounds, five blocks) picked up the leather after a miss by Jericho Cruz and knocked it in as the Falcons notched their first win after a 0-2 start.
“It’s an ugly win but a win is a win. I hope this game motivates us to strive harder because our goal is still achievable,” said AdU coach Leo Austria, who also got crucial baskets down the stretch from Eric Camson (19 points, including 10 in the fourth, and 11 rebounds) and new recruit Cruz (19 markers).
UP could have won it in the last play but Alvin Padilla’s trey bounced out and the Maroons fell to 0-3.
The Tams were hardly under threat from the Warriors (0-3) except in the first eight minutes, where UE seized an 18-9 upperhand. From there, it was an all-FEU show as the Tams regrouped and pulled away to as much as a 27-point tear, at 86-59.
“Okay ang pinakita ng team, okay kami ni Terrence, nagpapasahan kami. (It was a credible performance from the team. Terrence and I were sharing the ball more),” said Garcia who shot 18 points to backstop Romeo’s 19.
“Yung nga lang, nung first quarter masyado kami nag-relax kaya lumamang ang UE sa amin. Kaya nung second half, hindi na namin pinadikit (We relaxed in the first quarter and allowed them to take the lead. But we buckled down to work in the second half and did not allow them to go within striking distance),” he added.
FEU pulled off its first double-digit win since a 66-47 nipping of UE on July 21, 2011. The Tams’ 92-point tally was also the league’s highest offensive output since FEU scored 94 in a 24-point beating of University of the Philippines on July 25, 2010.
Chris Javier (20 points, nine rebounds) and Roi Sumang (16 markers, six boards) paced UE.
In juniors action, defending champion National U Bullpups edged University of Santo Tomas, 68-64, to strengthen their hold of the lead with 4-0.
Raphael Atangan fired 12 points while Reggie Morido posted 11 markers and 17 boards to lead NU past the Tiger Cubs, who slipped to 2-2.
Second generation players Thirdy Ravena (17 points, 19 rebounds) and Aaron Black (13 markers, seven caroms) took the cudgels as Ateneo routed Adamson, 75-54, to improve to 2-2. The Baby Falcons asborbed their fourth straight setback.
The scores:
First Game
FEU 92 – Romeo 19, Garcia 18, Hargrove 11, A. Bringas 11, Mendoza 8, Tolomia 6, Escoto 5, Pogoy 4, Cruz 4, Sentcheu 2, Inigo 2, Jose 2,Belo 0, Guerrero 0, M. Bringas 0.
UE 66 – Javier 20, Sumang 16, Sumido 10, Galanza 5, Olayon 4, Hernandez 4, Belleza 2, Valdez 2, Duran 2, Flores 1, Alberto 0, Villarias 0, Santos 0, Razon 0.
Quarterscores: 14-18, 42-29, 61-47, 92-66
Second Game
AdU 69 – Cruz 19, Camson 19, Brondial 10, Nuyles 9, Rios 3, Petilos 3, Monteclaro 3, Etrone 3, Trollano 0, Julkipli 0, Deans 0, Cabrera 0, Abrigo 0.
UP 67 – Lopez 17, Ball 13, Padilla 9, Montecastro 7, Gamboa 6, Manuel 4, Asilum 4, Silungan 3, Soyud 2, Hipolito 2, Mbah 0, ROmero 0, Gallarza 0.
Quarterscores: 28-8, 37-28, 50-50, 69-67