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The first round was enough; giving away the second round’s already too much.

The Far Eastern University Tamaraws got the score even against the National University Bulldogs in style, clinching a Final Four spot and their fourth straight win after their 64-60 victory today at the Araneta Coliseum in the 71^st University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ men’s basketball tournament. Aldrech Ramos sunk in a crucial under the basket two-pointer and handed FEU the lead 2:22 minutes remaining. With NU’s big men Raymund Aguilar and Jewel Ponferranda out of the game, the Green shirts took advantage on the post and forced turnovers from the Bulldogs. JR Cawaling shot half of his two gift shots from a Christopher Dela Cruz foul and put he score to 63-60 still a minute a half to go to the end of the quarter. NU had their chances to still salvage the game but their lack of composure got the better of them as they scrambled to make a three-pointer. Dave Catamora almost made a steal from Andy Barroca but instead of making one, he gave up a foul and put the point guard to the charity line18.4 seconds left in the clock. The point guard missed one of his charities and put the score at 64-60. A foul was again given up by the Bulldogs with less than four second left. Reil Cervantes had a chance to give the Green and Gold a bigger win but missed both his free throws.

Barroca, who just came off hot a memorable performance in FEU’s triumph over De La Salle win last Saturday, had a repeat after finishing the game with 22 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. While center Cervantes contributed 12 markers and eight rebounds to fuel the Tams for their ninth win for the season.

The Tamaraws started the game strongly, putting on their “defense before offense” attitude. Jun Tanuan converted his two gift shots and gave FEU their first points of the game. The Tams took control of the game, making a breathable distance from the Bulldogs, until the last two minutes of the starting quarter. FEU players took the game on their own hands, playing on their own, which resulted to NU cutting and taking the lead. Jonathan Jahnke closed down the first canto in favor of the Bulldogs with a shot from beyond the arc, 16-17.

The Morayta-based squad continued to struggle offensively come the second quarter. The guys of NU were still hot and immediately started a 14-5 run, which established a 10-point advantage against the Green shirts. Sensing the urgency, FEU Head Coach Glenn Capacio called for a time-out to re-strategize. The time-out seemed to be all the Tamaraws needed as they wiped out the Bulldogs’ biggest lead in the game, and equaled the score at 31-all 2:24 minutes on the clock. Barroca and Ramos combined for eight more points to turn the fortune towards the Green and Gold side going into half-time, 37-33.

Barroca sunk both his charities from an NU foul to start the third quarter for FEU.  The Bulldogs gave up another foul in the expense of their big man Ponferranda and put Cawaling on the free throw line only half a minute after Barroca made a trip to the area. NU tried to play catch-up basketball with the lead of Aguilar. However, the closest they’ve gotten was at 50-46 during the 2:23 period of the canto. Mac Baracael, who played for the first time after being shot in the back by a still unknown assailant last July 24, wrapped up the third period with a two-point jumper which put the score at, 56-48.

The Bulldogs gave the Tamaraws a dose of their own medicine and gave the Green shirts a scare during the fourth quarter. Ponferranda sparked a 10-0 run, erased FEU’s six-point advantage from the third quarter and even snatched the lead from the Tamaraws to put the score at 56-58.

The Morayta-based squad, however, used their pressure defense to force the Bulldogs to commit back-to-back errors and turnovers. Barroca, who’s almost flawless from the free throw line, put in his two charities and evened out the score at 58-all. Benedict Fernandez quickly followed with a lay-up and made a two-point lead for FEU. Not yet letting go is Jahnke, who tied the score at 60-all after a lay-up from the inside. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, this was to be their last basket for the game.

FEU, who was defeated by NU in their first round encounter, managed to turn the game around during the last two minutes of play to make sure that the Bulldogs won’t draw another win from them.

“Para akong nabunutan ng tinik,” said Capacio. “Nahirapan talaga kami. Luckily, they executed down the stretch,” he added. With the win, FEU is now assured of a spot in this season’s semis round and now parades a 9-3 win-loss slate. “We’re happy to be in the final four,” Capacio stated.

The Tamaraws welcomed back Baracael to the game with the win after being out for eight games. Although he hasn’t conditioned himself fully to play, Baracael stepped into the court and played for more than five minutes. “Gusto ko lang ma-feel n’ya (Baracael) yung game,” explained Capacio. “Alam ko naman na hindi pa s’ya 100%,” he added. FEU Athletics Director Mark Molina stated that Baracael underwent a series of test to be sure that his body can again take the stress from the games. The cager’s pulmonary test, which was conducted last week Monday, revealed that his lungs are already clear – a sign that lung functions has been restored. In addition to that, x-ray results also showed that he two fractured ribs, where the bullet made is exit, are healing very well.

Asked how he feels after his long absence, Baracael said, “Nakakapanibago. Para akong rookie ulit.”

FEU still has two more games to play in the second round of eliminations. They will be facing host University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons come this Saturday, August 30 and then University of the East’s Red Warriors on the 4^th of September.

With reports from www.inboundpass.com.

 

August 28th, 2008 by reichmakayan Rachell Makayan is a 2008 graduate of the FEU-IN. A former sports writer of The Advocate. The product of an Ilocana mother and a Bicolano father (but trust me she doesn't know how to speak both provinces' dialect). The only FEU alumnus in her family, she constantly finds herself fighting over her mom, dad and sister every time the Tams plays the Warriors (Of course, she wins most of the time).