Tams escape Archers' upset axe

Tams escape Archers' upset axe
JUL
29
Written by: UAAP News Admin
7/29/2010 5:43 PM
By Alder T. Almo

Manila, Philippines – League leader Far Eastern University Tamaraws needed two overtimes to escape the upset axe of the De La Salle Green Archers, 84-80, on Thursday to remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 73 men’s basketball at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Tamaraws relied on their experience and big heart to pull off the great comeback from seven points late in regulation.

Unheralded rookie-transferee Carl Cruz came off the bench to keep the Tamaraws afloat early on before their veterans took over towards the end of regulation and the two overtimes.

Cruz, who came as a transferee from Metro Manila College, erupted for a career-high 16 points, 7 in the third period for the Tamaraws, who wrestled back from a 37-47 deficit to make it close.

Then in the fourth period, JR Cawaling and RR Garcia teamed up in a big 7-0 wind up, erasing a 68-61 DLSU lead in the final 3:49 of the regulation to force the firstovertime.

Garcia completed FEU’s comeback with a fastbreak lay up off a steal to tie the game at 68-all with 9.2 seconds left.

The Archers, however, bungled their chance to wrap it up as they opted to go to Joel Tolentino, who missed his drive to the basket.

The Tamaraws inched ahead in the first overtime with Garcia’s fadeaway lay up pushing the score to 74-72 in the 2-minute mark but the Archers recovered at the stripes to force another deadlock.

FEU had a chance to seal the game right in the first extension but rookie Terrence Romeo missed a hurried shot in the closing seconds to pave the way for another extra five minutes.

In the second overtime, veteran Paul Sanga started Tamaraws’ big finish with a four-point swing as FEU opened a 78-74 lead.

Cameroonian Pipo Noundou’s three-point play and Garcia’s bank shot extended FEU’s lead to seven, 83-76, with 1:03 left.

The young nucleus of the Archers never recovered as fatigue and lack of experience caught up with them.

Garcia, who was a non-factor in the first three periods, exploded for 11 of his team-high 18 points in the fourth and overtime periods. Noundou and Reill Cervantes added 14 and 12 points, respectively for the Tamaraws, who are all alone on top with a 5-0 mark.

“Ito ang story ng team namin. Hindi lang kami umaasa sa iisang player,” said a relieved FEU coach Glenn Capacio, who rued the game’s officiating.

FEU led 17-9 early in the game before La Salle’s vaunted pressure defense took over as the Archers grabbed the lead, 27-73, which they never gave up until the overtime.

“In fairness to La Salle, maganda rin naman talaga ang depensa nila. Pero minsan grabe ang pressure nila at hindi natatawagan. Buti na lang sa fourth period at sa overtime, umayos naman ang officiating. May let go sa amin, may let go sa kanila, yun okay lang. Sayang kasi ang ganda ng liga natin,” Capacio said.

Curiously, FEU had more free throws and less fouls committed. The Tamaraws went 23-of-35 from the line while the Archers managed only to sink 15 of their 27 foul shots.

La Salle was called for 28 fouls to FEU’s 25.

Joshua Webb and Sam Marata led the Archers with 17 and 16 points, respectively but they fell silent in the fourth and two overtime periods.

Marata continued his hot shooting going 4-of-6 from beyond the arc but the rest of the Archers were a combined 1-of-17 that hastened their second loss in five games.

The Scores:

FEU 84 – Garcia 18, Cruz 16, Noundou 14, Cervantes 12, Ramos 5, Bringas 4, Sanga 4, Exciminiano 4, Cawaling 4, Romeo 3, Mendoza 0, Knuttel 0.

DLSU 80 – Webb 17, Marata 16, Andrada 13, Villanueva 11, Tolentino 7, Atkins 5, Paredes 4, Dela Paz 4, Mendoza 3, Vosotros 0, Tampus 0, Ferdinand 0.

Quarterscores: 17-14, 30-38, 51-53, 68-all reg., 74-all 1OT, 84-80 2OT.

lets go tamarraw!

lets go...!!!


ajaja