Tamaraws finally win big, crush Warriors
After three close calls, Far Eastern University was probably due for a blow-out win. They certainly got it.
With their offense humming in the second half, the Tamaraws ran the University of the East to the ground, pummeling the Warriors, 92-66, to remain the only unbeaten team in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.
The Tamaraws overcame a sluggish start, falling behind by as many as nine points and trailing the Warriors 14-18 after the first period, and poured it on in the second, outscoring UE 28-11 to seize a 42-29 advantage at the half.
The closest the Warriors could get was within 12 at 63-51, thanks to a 6-0 run early in the fourth, but FEU responded with a backbreaking 13-0 blast that put the game away at 76-51.
“Kahit papaano, hindi na four points,” said FEU coach Bert Flore in jest, referring to his team’s winning margins of one, two and three points in their first three games. “Pwede na ang game namin. Nag-contribute ang bench namin.”
The Tamaraws’ one-two scoring punch of Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia ran circles around their defenders, pouring in 19 and 18 points, respectively, to help FEU register the highest-scoring game of this young season.
“Okay ang ipinakita ng team,” Garcia said. “Okay kami ni Terrence, nagpasahan kami.”
Romeo and Garcia had eight assists each, in contrast to their last game against Adamson where they combined for only seven.
The Tamaraws’ frontcourt also delivered against the smaller UE frontline, with Anthony Hargrove and Arvie Bringas muscling their way to 11 points each. Overall, FEU shot a scorching 61.4% on its two-point shots and 51.5% in total field goals.
Flores said the win would serve them in good stead, especially with host National University up next for them.
“Going into the next game, it’s against NU.” the amiable coach said. “Sila ang no. 1 sa rebounds. We’ll try to control the boards. We didn’t control the boards in the first half. Kaya sa halftime huddle pinagusapan na kailangan i-control ang rebounds.”
UE led in rebounds, 27-19, after the first half, but the Tamaraws limited them to just 13 in the second half en route to winning the rebounding battle, 45-40.
Aside from rebounding, Flores’ biggest concern when they go up against the Bulldogs is containing reigning MVP Bobby Ray Parks, admitting he had no one on his roster who could match up well with shifty wingman.
“Mahirap katapat si Rayray Parks,” Flores said. “Wala kaming pantapat.”
“Siguro si Roger Pogoy, kaya niya si Parks,” Garcia said. “Okay na si Parks ang gumawa, huwag lang sabay-sabay na maganda ang laro nila.”
FEU thus kept hold of top spot with a 4-0 record, one game clear of defending champion Ateneo. The Warriors remained winless as they sank to their third straight defeat.
