Iñigo steps up for Tolomia as FEU escapes UP

Without head coach Nash Racela, the Far Eastern Tamaraws ran into some trouble against the surprisingly tough University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons but their effort was still enough to get a 75-69 victory in the UAAP men's basketball tournament Saturday afternoon at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

With Tolomia sitting on the bench with five fouls, UP had a golden chance to score a monumental upset after Diego Dario hit a triple with 2:02 left in the game which gave the Maroons a 69-68 lead.

Alejandro Inigo however responded with his own three in the next play to swing the tide to FEU's favor again. A jumper from Mark Belo and two free throws from Inigo put the game away for the Tamaraws.

After his heroic performance against La Salle in their last game, Tolomia had another terrific performance with 19 points and five rebounds although he had to sit out the final moments. Belo was his main back up with 14 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. But it was Alejandro who truly turned the game around.

JR Gallarza led UP with 18 points and five rebounds while Mikee Reyes added 14 points although the point guard shot a dismal five of 21 from the field. Diego Dario added 10 points, two rebounds, and four assists.

With the win, the Tamaraws strengthened their hold of the top spot in the UAAP standings with a 9-2 win-loss record while UP remained in the seventh spot at 1-10.

FEU took full advantage of UP’s lack of ceiling as they outscored them inside the paint 32-16 and outrebounded them 50-38.

Gallarza waxed hot from the field in the first quarter as he helped UP seize an early lead. The UP stretch four scored eight early points but the Tamaraws wrested control of the game as Tolomia scored 11 point in the quarter to five FEU a 19-18 advantage.

FEU started the second quarter with three straight triples to lead by 10, 28-18. Usually, a run like this would be difficult for the Maroons to get up from. However, they fought back fiercely as they tied the score 35-all at the half and they were only down 53-52 heading into the final quarter.

The Main Man: Inigo stepped up big time for the Tamaraws with 10 rebounds. He scored eight points, five of these in the final two minutes resulting to FEU’s win.

Honorable Mentions: Tolomia carried the Tamaraws again with his 19-point, five-rebound effort. Belo backed up Tolomia with 14 points and Anthony Hargrove added 11 points.

Game Turning Point: Dario almost had it. Inigo took it away. The reply triple from the FEU point guard took out the air out of UP’s sail. Belo knocked them down with a jumper and Inigo’s free throws put them away for good.

He Said It:

FEU assistant coach Eric Gonzales: Ewan ko, parang hindi ako masaya. I kept on reminding them na eto ‘yung mga nakakatakot na game. I’m happy sa linaro ng UP. I salute them.

The scores:

FEU 75: Tolomia 19, Belo 14, Hargrove 11, Inigo 8, Pogoy 7, Cruz 7, Lee Yu 5, Jose 4, Tamsi 0, Ugsang 0, Denila 0.

UP 69: Gallarza 18, Reyes 14, Dario 10, Moralde 9, Juruena 8, Lao 4, Gingerich 3, Vito 3, Harris 0.

Quarters: 19-18, 35-35, 53-52, 75-69