Missing a key player did not stop the Tamaraws from winning.

Team play was Far Eastern U’s key to clinching their victory over University of Santo Tomas, 76-67, at the Philsports Arena. Aldrech Ramos led the squad with 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 assists.

The score of the two opposing teams were close throughout the first 30 minutes of the game. It was in the fourth quarter where the Tamaraws gained a more comfortable lead as RR Garcia and Terrence Romeo ganged up to produced 10 points within the first five minutes.

FEU was up by as much as 14 points near the two-minute mark but back-to-back triples from Jeric Fortuna and Clark Bautista, and a two-pointer from Jeric Teng trimmed this lead own to only six. The Tigers, however, just could not finish as Teng and Chris Camus committed three consecutive fouls in the drying seconds. This put Romeo, Garcia, and Ramos to the charity line for free throws. The three converted four out of the six gift shots.

Final Four Here We Come

Even with big men Reil Cervantes sitting out from the game and Pipo Noundou still not a 100 percent after his injury, the Tamaraws still put up a good fight. There were a lot of unselfish plays, as they moved the ball around and looked for that open man to take the shot. That’s the kind of game that I’m expecting from them. We just can’t really on one guy.

Aldrech Ramos posted a double-double today, Terrence Romeo as well. Ramos averages 10 points per game, while Romeo averages six. If other team members would start doing the same, our semifinals bid would be stronger. Right now, FEU clinched the first Final Four berth after winning their ninth in 10 outings.

The Tamaraws would still need to lessen their turnovers though. They had 11 turnovers in the first half alone compared to the Tigers’ seven. Another key thing that the team still needs to work on is defense. Yes, we were able to contain UST’s shooters, which is a good thing, but how about the other better defensive teams. We still have to face La Salle, National U, UP, and Ateneo. The Bulldogs are the second best team when it comes to defense. La Salle, in the first round, forced us to go through two overtime periods using their press defense. Ateneo, well, let’s just say that they will try to defend the crown with all their might. It was tough last time; it will be tougher this second round.

Every game, even the other seven teams’ games, will be crucial in determining the two teams who will walk into the Final Four with twice-to-beat advantages. Earlier, the UE Red Warriors broke the Adamson Soaring Falcons’ winning streak via their 71-63 victory. La Salle will be playing Ateneo tomorrow.  As of the moment, our squad is two games away from the second ranked team. A win by Ateneo would only put as a game ahead of them. On the other hand, if the Arches win, the Eagles and the Falcons will be tied at 7-3.

Things are getting more and more exciting in the UAAP. Make me wonder what’s gonna happen next.

BTW,

Happy birthday to Carl Bryan Cruz! Funny, the game barker really had to announce it loud and proud.

Current team standings

WIN    LOSS

FEU                 9          1

ADMU            7          2

AdU                 7          3

DLSU              6          3

NU                  3          6

UST                 3          7

UE                   3          7

UP                   0          9

 

August 22nd, 2010 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).