By Anton Guarina
Far Eastern University unleashed its force, taking a dominant 76-42 win against Jose Rizal University in Group B of the 2022 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, Monday morning in San Juan City.
With the win, the Tamaraws increased their chances of making it into the quarterfinals after closing the eliminations with a 4-3 win-loss record. On the other hand, the Heavy Bombers remained winless at 0-4.
The Tamaraws utilized a 21-9 second quarter to turn a 19-10 affair after the first quarter into a 40-19 blowout at the half.
Xyrus Torres scored all of his 11 points in this first-half blast to go with two rebounds. He eventually added one assist at the end of the contest.
“Well, the coaching staff, I’m sure all of the players are also happy with the win, with the way we played more importantly. But, I guess we just caught them on an off day, from what I know matagal silang nag isolate. So this is their first game after so many days in isolation,” said FEU head coach Olsen Racela.
“I’m sure di sila nakapag-practice, kami rin we went through that a couple of weeks ago, and other teams from what I know are going through that. So… na-timing-an lang na we caught them dito na first game nila coming off an isolation nga. But, again natutuwa nga kami sa panalo because of the way really played today and the way we defended,” he continued.
The Tamaraws led by as much as 36, 70-34, with 5:35 remaining in the final frame off a Miguel Ona layup.
Patrick Sleat then picked up from where Torres left off, scoring all his nine points in the second half, to go with two rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Ona paced FEU on rebounds with nine of the Tamaraws’ 53 along with six markers and one assist.
Cholo Anonuevo played his first game for the Tamaraws after an injury he suffered in UAAP Season 84. He ended with three points, six rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
JRU shot a horrid 19.7-percent from the field as no player ended in double-digits. Ryan Dela Rosa and Jonathan Medina finished with eight points each. Medina added five rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
The Heavy Bombers will look to get their first win of the tournament against San Beda University on August 17 at 1:00 PM.
The Scores
FEU 76 – Torres 11, Sleat 9, Grevera 7, Bagunu 7,Alforque 6, Gonzales 6, Ona 6, Montemayor 6, Tempra 4, Sandagon 3, Anonuvero 3, Ajonia 3, Celzo 3, Guibao 2, Dularte 0.
JRU 42 – Dela Rosa 8, Medina 8, Miranda 6, Sy 6, Guiab 3, Famaranco 3, Celis 2, De Jesus 2, Tan 2, Amores 1, Abaoag 1, Arenal 0, Gonzales 0, Villarin 0, Bongay 0.
Quarterscores: 19-10, 40-19, 63-30, 76-42.
