By: Jonash Dannug
The Far Eastern University Tamaraws escaped the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers’ late fourth quarter surge, 87-85, in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup presented by Chooks-to-Go, Tuesday afternoon, at San Juan City.
Five players scored in double figures for the Tamaraws. However, it was Gilas Cadet Ken Tuffin who bailed out FEU as he drained two crucial three-pointers in the final frame. Tuffin scored 11 points as he help steer the Morayta-based squad to a perfect 3-0 record.
With two seconds remaining in the game, MJ Dela Virgen air-balled a game winning three for the Bombers. However, it was also Dela Virgen who kept the Bombers at a striking distance as he spearheaded a 6-0 run to keep the lead within two, with just 32 seconds remaining.
As the game was about to slip in FEU’s hands, Tamaraws head coach Olsen Racela opted not to call for a time-out as he decided to let his players figure out things on their own.
“We wanted our players to learn, so after that turnover nung sa press break naming, hindi ako nag time-out, precisely ‘cause I want them to learn how to break that press.” Tamaraws head coach Olsen Racela explained.
“Yun ang mindset ng coaches eh, to learn from this. I didn’t call timeout because gusto ko talagang matuto ‘yung players on the floor. Of course, it would be different come UAAP,” he added.
Hubert Cani, Joseph Nunag, and Brandrey Bienes scored 13 points each for the Tamaraws while Jasper Parker added 12.
Ry Dela Rosa led the Bombers, who fall to a 0-3 card, with 18 points and four rebounds. Jed Mendoza added 17 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
In the third game, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights overcame a lousy start as they fend off the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates, 78-74, to score their second win in Group B.
Letran’s frontcourt continued to impress as Larry Muyang, Bong Quinto, and Christian Fajarito scored 20, 17, and 10 respectively while Gilas Cadet Jeo Ambohot added nine points for the Knights. The four combined for an impressive 46 rebounds, compared to Lyceum’s 38.
Yancy Remulla notched 18 points for the Lyceum while Rhanzell Yong added 15 points in a losing effort, as Lyceum suffers its third loss in four outings.
After losing their first three games of the tournament, the National University Bulldogs finally barged their way into the win column after defeating the cellar-dwelling Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 96-84, in the first game.
Chino Mosqueda spearheaded the Bulldogs with 18 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Former Bullpup John Lloyd Clemente added 17 points while Shaun Ildefonso added 13 markers to help lead NU gather its first win.
John Paul Maguliano scored 16 points for the Generals while team skipper Jerome Garcia added 15 points as EAC falls to a 0-3 card in the tournament’s group A.
Meanwhile, in the Hanes 1-on-1 King of the Hardcourt, it was Benilde’s Prince Carlos who triumphed over San Beda’s Kenneth Mocon, 15-5.
Carlos will face the winner between Arellano University’s Maui Sera-Josef and Far Eastern University’s Michael Casino.
First Game:
NU (96) – Mosqueda 18, Clemente 17, Sh. Ildefonso 13, Da. Ildefonso 11, Gaye 10, Galinato 9, Sinclair 6, Menina 4, Salim 3, Diputado 2, Tibayan 2, Mangayaom 1, Oczon 0, Gallego 0, Rangel 0
EAC (84) – Maguliano 16, Garcia 15, Tampoc 13, Mendoza 12, Diego 10, Corilla 8, Cruz 4, Bugarin 2, Cadua 2, Ling 2, Gonzales 0, Robin 0, Martin 0, Estacio 0, Altamirano 0, Neri 0, Natividad 0
Quarterscores: 24-16, 49-37, 74-63, 96-84
Second Game:
FEU (87) – Cani 13, Nunag 13, Bienes 13, Parker 12, Tuffin 11, Ebona 7, Tolentino 6, Escoto2, Inigo 2, Jopia 2, Ramirez 2, Tempra 2, Dulatre 2, Bayquin 0, Orizu 0, Stockton 0
JRU (85) – Dela Rosa 18, Mendoza 17, Dela Virgen 14, Ramos 13, Estrella 11, Bordon 6, Silvarez 4, Dulalia 2, Yu 0, Esquerra 0, Perez 0
Quarterscores: 28-27, 52-53, 72-68, 87-85
Third Game:
CSJL (78) – Muyang 20, Quinto 17, Fajarito 10, Balanza 9, Calvo 9, Ambohot 9, Batiller 2, Galvelo 2, Agbong 0, Celis 0, Mandreza 0, Balagasay 0, Yu 0, Mandreza 0
LPU (74) – Remulla 18, Yong 15, Tansingco 11, Pericas 10, Ibanes, 6, Mahinay 6, Pretta 4, Salo 2, Cunanan 2, Caduyac 0, Serrano 0
Quarterscores: 17-20, 36-38, 62-59, 78-74
