Tamaraws Seek Win Number 3, Payback Against Warriors

Manila, Philippines – League leader Far Eastern University Tamaraws seek to extend their unbeaten run and exact payback against University of the East Red Warriors in the resumption of the UAAP Season 73 this Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The game is set at 4pm following the curtain-raiser between University of Sto. Tomas and University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons at 2pm.

The Tamaraws are on a roll after beating defending champion Ateneo, 72-69, and vastly improved National University, 76-72, in their first two games.

In contrast, the Warriors have dropped their first two games in lopsided fashion. In their season opener, they lost to UST, 57-70, and then surrendered a 63-82 decision to De La Salle University in their last game.

Despite the big disparity, FEU coach Glenn Capacio is wary of the Warriors, who have beaten them three in a row since last season’s Final Four.

“Ang hirap manalo ngayon sa UAAP. All teams have improved. We can’t take UE lightly. They’ve beaten us in the FilOil (Pre-season tournament) after we led by 20 points,” Capacio said.

An interesting sidelight is the duel between the league’s top two guards – Paul Lee and RR Garcia.

Garcia has been instrumental in FEU’s rousing start. More than his 21.5-point clip, Garcia have bailed out the Tamaraws providing leadership and clutch baskets in both wins.

The same could not be said to Paul Lee, who is the Warriors’ acknowledged leader. Lee was a miserable sight on the floor against UST, scoring only seven markers on 2-for-10 shooting from the field. He sizzled for 25 points against DLSU but failed to muster support from his teammates.

In the first game, the Tigers try to get back on track after getting derailed by the Blue Eagles. UST lost to Ateneo, 56-68, after opening the season with a win.

UST Coach Pido Jarencio will rely on the duo of Jeric Teng and Clark Bautista in UST’s bid to notch its second win in three games.

The Maroons, meanwhile, seek to barge into the win column after two tries. Woody Co and Fil-am rookie Mike Silungan will lead UP anew.

In the women’s games in the morning, defending champion Adamson Lady Falcons (2-0) look to keep their unbeaten record intact against UST Tigresses (1-1) at 8am. Winless UP Lady Maroons and UE Lady Warriors, both with 0-2 win-loss records, collide at 9:45 am also at the Big Dome.

Alder Almo, UAAP Sports