Far Eastern turned to national team mainstay Aldrech Ramos and rookie Terrence Romeo on a day when University of Santo Tomas put the cuffs on ace gunner RR Garcia as the Tamaraws rumbled their way to the first Final Fourth berth with a 76-67 win on Saturday in the 73rd UAAP cage wars at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The victory was the ninth in ten outings for FEU which also felt the absence of big man Reil Cervantes owing to a one-game suspension stemming from an unsportsmanlike conduct.
The Tams have advanced to the Final Four 13 times since its inception in 1994 but head coach Glenn Capacio remains wary of what lies ahead.
"Target pa din namin ang makuha yung twice-to-beat,” said Capacio. “Siyempre masaya kami na nasa Final Four na ang team pero kailangan mas sharp pa kami at hindi maging complacent sa mga huling laro namin.”
Ramos had his best performance of the season with 21 points, a point shy of his career-high he set last season ironically against UST, along with 15 rebounds, six assists and two blocks while Romeo uncorked all of his 13 points in the second half.
The two played the starring role with Garcia limited to just 11 points, tying a season-low, although he managed to make five rebounds and four assists.
Cervantes was barred from suiting up after hacking University of the East (UE) star Paul Lee to the ground last Sunday.
Also contributing in Cervantes’ absence were backup big men Carl Bryan Cruz and Anton Bringas, who combined for 15 points and seven boards.
”Yun ang kagandahan sa team namin, halos lahat nakakapag-contribute at any given time,” Capacio said.
UST slipped to 3-7, tying UE for sixth spot.
Earlier, UE played the role of a spoiler, preventing Adamson from making inroads to its Final Four bid as the Red Warriors pulled off a 71-63 win behind the heroics of veteran guard James Martinez, lanky Kenneth Acibar and rookie Lord Casajeros.
The loss put an end to the Falcons’ four-game winning streak.
Still, UE has to win its remaining four games to remain in the hunt for a slot in the Final Four. The Warriors have made the semifinals since 2001.
“Our backs are against the wall,” said coach Lawrence Chongson, noting that his team could have been in a much better position if only it won the close games against Ateneo and Far Eastern.
The scores:
First Game
UE 71 — Martinez 16, Acibar 15, Casajeros 14, Lee 8, Rosopa 4, Zamar 4, Tagarda 4, Noble 4, Duran 2, Enguio 0, Reyes 0.
ADAMSON 63 — Colina 14, Camson 13, Alvarez 11, Nuyles 6, Galinato 6, Lozada 4, Stinnett 3, Etrone 3, Cabrera 3, Manyara 0, Canada 0.
Quarters: 16-15; 36-30; 49-53; 71-63.
Second Game
FEU 76 — Ramos 21, Romeo 13, Garcia 11, Cruz 8, Bringas 7, Noundou 6, Mendoza 3, Sanga 2, Exciminiano 2, Cawaling 2, Knuttel 1.
UST 67 — Fortuna 12, Mariano 11, Camus 11, Teng 10, Bautista 10, Afuang 7, Daquioag 3, Aytona 2, Pe 0, Mamaril 0.
Quarters: 19-17; 34-28; 52-49; 76-67.
Jonas Terrado, Manila Bulletin
Subject: Tamaraws Enter Final Four 
Sun Aug 22, 2010 9:16 am
