Tamaraws Turn Back Bulldogs, Falcons Win

Games Sunday (Philsports Arena) 2 p.m. - Ateneo vs UST 4 p.m. - UE vs La Salle

RR Garcia came through with big plays down the stretch as Far Eastern University escaped past National University, 76-72, on Saturday to wrest the solo lead in the 73rd UAAP basketball tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. Trailing by seven points with six minutes remaining, the Tamaraws trimmed the lead to just two points in a span of three minutes. Then, the 5-foot-10 Garcia put his squad on the driving seat by knocking home a three-pointer with barely two minutes remaining for a 71-70 lead. Against a double team, Garcia fed Chris Exciminiano for a basket as FEU extended the lead to 73-70 with 1:12 remaining. Kokoy Hermosisima cut the lead to a single point after hitting a putback shot off two missed freethrows by Mervin Baloran, but made two key misses that allowed the Tams to steal the game. He bungled an open trey off the screen, then muffed both foul shots with 8.3 ticks left with FEU on top, 75-72. The Tams' 2-0 start was their first since winning their last title in 2005. In the second game, Adamson bounced back from a disappointing loss to Ateneo by venting its ire on University of the Philippines, 66-59.

The scores:
First Game:
FEU 76 - Cervantes 20, Garcia 18, Romeo 11, Ramos 6, Cawaling 5, Bringas 4, Sanga 4, Knuttel 4, Noundou 2, Exciminiano 2, Mendoza 0, Cruz 0.
NU 72 - Hermosisima 23, Khobuntin 14, Terso 11, Mbe 8, Baloran 8, Ponferrada 5, Magat 2, Javillonar 1, Ludovice 0, Tungcul 0, Singh 0.

Quarters: 21-14; 37-36; 54-56; 76-72.

Second Game:
ADAMSON 66 - Camson 16, Canada 14, Nuyles 10, Lozada 8, Colina 5, Alvarez 5, Stinnett 2, Manyara 2, Galinato 2, Cabrera 2.
UP 59 - Co 17, Silungan 15, Reyes Ma. 10, Padilla 6, Lopez 5, Pascual 2, Sison 2, Maniego 2, Saret 0, Manuel 0, Reyes Mi. 0, Juruena 0, Gomez 0.

Quarters: 13-8; 33-27; 44-44; 66-59.