Just like in its loss to the Ateneo Blue Eagles last Sunday, Far Eastern University started slow Saturday afternoon. The Tamaraws though were able to buck their lethargic first half, picking up a 78-65 win against the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
With the win, the Tamaraws even their slate to 2-2 while dropping UST to a 0-4 record.
“Hindi ko alam na ganito pala sa UAAP na it’s hard to get wins. Mahirap manalo,” admitted first-year FEU head coach Olsen Racela. “I told the players to grind it out at walang sure win. Kailangan namin pagpaguran lahat.”
Making it harder for FEU was that Prince Orizu and Ron Dennison were struck a classic case of the flu. The Nigerian student-athlete was limited to just five points and four rebounds in just 18 minutes of action.
Missing out on a healthy Orizu was one of the reasons why the Tamaraws fell by as much as 10 points, 22-12, in the first half.
“It was a good win for us. Yung first half namin medyo flat. Siguro na-miss namin yung presence ni Prince kasi may sakit siya,” shared Arvin Tolentino, who finished the game with 15 points and 10 rebounds. “Nung second half, nag-step up kami especially the bigs. Na-control namin yung rebounds nung second half.”
“We came out flat. Ang sinabi ko sa kanila, they need to come out with intensity, energy, and effort. Yung second half yun yung nangyari,” added Racela.
A different FEU stormed out of the dugout come the second half to eventually knot the game at 45-all after a free throw by Ino Comboy coming off an unsportsmanlike foul by Carlo Escalambre with 2:08 remaining in the third frame.
Back-to-back triples by Arvin Tolentino opened the final frame, sparking a 14-0 run. The Tamaraws lead would baloon to as high as 17 points, 72-55, after a Jasper Parker triple with 3:33 left.
“Sobrang lamya namin nung first half kaya hindi kami makakuha ng good offense,” expressed FEU team captain Ron Dennison, who finished with 15 markers as well. “Sabi ni coach kailangan ng urgency to turn defense into offense.”
Jeepy Faundo finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds to pace UST while Jordan Sta. Ana chipped in 11 markers. However, UST shot a horrid 33.3 percent from the field while committing 24 turnovers that led to a whopping 30 FEU points.
Steve Akomo was limited to just 21 minutes of game time for six points and eight rebounds.
FEU will next face the NU Bulldogs on Wednesday, September 27 at 2:00pm. UST, on the other hand, looks to end its skid on the same day against the Ateneo Blue Eagles at 4:00pm.
The Scores:
FEU 78 – Dennison 15, Tolentino 15, Parker 8, Tuffin 8, Ebona 6, Inigo 6, Comboy 5, Orizu 5, Ramirez 5, Escoto 3, Stockton 2, Cani 0, Trinidad 0, Nunag 0, Bayquin 0.
UST 65 – Faundo 16, Sta. Ana 11, Basibas 8, Escalambre 8, Akomo 6, Huang 4, Lee 3, De Guzman 3, Macasaet 2, Arana 2, Kwawukumey 2, Garcia 0, Caunan 0, Soriano 0.
Quarterscores: 11-16, 31-36, 49-48, 78-65.
