JR Cawaling scored 20 of his 25 points in the first half

It was like seeing a bad movie all over again because the scenarios in this game were quite similar to the Tams’ meltdown in the Final Four. UE jumped to an early 10 point lead but the Tams closed the gap to three by the end of the first quarter. JR Cawaling led a strong run in the second quarter and was unstoppable in and out of the paint. He finished with 20 points in the first half alone but I knew I’ve seen this script before.

As expected, UE staged a rally in the third and Cawaling was again living up to his moniker as the “first-half” man. The Reds were close to breaking the game wide open when they raced to a 9 point lead going into the last five minutes but the Tams were saved by timely sniping by Sanga, Cervantes and “gasp”, Cawaling. What made me scratch my head again was the decision of Coach Glenn to use three guards on defense and taking out Cawaling and Sanga inside the LAST TWO MINUTES.

This was somewhat similar to the situation when Coach took out JR and inserted an ice cold Jun Tanuan in the closing minutes of the Final 4. However, the Tams diverted from the script this time because Glenn’s gamble worked.

It was a crazy last 30 seconds and I was left with my mouth wide open when FEU made successive defensive stops and regained the lead with less than 10 second remaining.

Paul Lee faced heavy defense against the Tams

When Acuna missed that layup in the final second everybody on the Tams side jumped for joy, maybe because for the first time in a while, luck was on our side. FEU wins, 86-85, and enters the Final Four of the PCCL.

It may not be as big as the UAAP but its a positive step for the team. There is pressure on the team to regain the confidence of the community, dismayed by what happened two months ago.

A teary eyed Coach Glenn admitted that this wont erase what happened in the Final Four but this is a step forward because it’s their first against a strong team and their tormentor in the UAAP.

For a team that had a nightmarish finish in a supposed dream season, this was a happy ending everybody needed.

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December 3rd, 2009 by ian.evasco Born in the old FEU Hospital Son of two FEU graduates Former EIC of The FEU Advocate ABMC Batch 2002 FEU-IAS Naks...Tamaraw na Tamaraw Talaga