Falcons try to spot Tams' clean record

Manila, Philippines – The Adamson Falcons will have the first crack at unbeaten Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the start of the second round of the UAAP Season 73 men’s basketball this Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum.

FEU and Adamson battle at 4pm after University of Sto. Tomas and University of the East collide at 2pm.

The Tamaraws swept through the first round including a 74-65 masterful win against the Falcons last Aug. 1.

Things will be doubly hard for the Tamaraws with all the teams raring to spot their unblemished record.

And the Falcons are coming in confident after overachieving in the first round.

“We overachieved in the first round. We’re now in a good position to crack the Final Four. Kailangan lang naming mag-stick sa system,” Adamson coach Leo Austria said.

The Falcons would need a double effort on defense against the loaded Tamaraws.

FEU has seven solid players that can explode at any given time led by MVP race leader RR Garcia.

Garcia, who is dishing out solid numbers – 17.8 points, 2.6 asts and 1.3 stls – all team-highs, will be a marked man.

But FEU coach Glenn Capacio can count on the likes of Aldrech Ramos, Ric Cawaling, Reil Cervantes, Pipo Noundou and even rookie Terrence Romoe.

“Lahat gusto kaming talunin kaya kailangan pa naming doblehin ang ipinapakita namin sa hardcourt. Ang maganda sa team na ‘to, hindi lang kami nagre-rely kay RR (Garcia). Marami ang pwede mag-step up,” Capacio said.

In the other game, UST look to duplicate its season opening win against UE.

The Tigers routed the Warriors, 80-67, back in the first round with Jeric Teng and Clark Bautista combining for 29 points while holding off UE’s Paul Lee to just six points.

Both teams are raring to get back in the win column after coming off heartbreaking losses to cap their first round campaigns.

UST lost to FEU despite leading by as much as 11 points while UE succumbed to Ateneo after leading for three-fourths of the game.

Meanwhile, in the distaff side, the much awaited rematch of last season’s Finals happen this Thursday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Defending champion Adamson Lady Falcons and FEU Lady Tamaraws, both sport 6-0 records.

Only one of them will remain undefeated after their game set at 8am. UE and National U battle at 9:45 am in the other women’s match.

Alder Almo, UAAP Sports