DEFENSE and Mac Belo’s efforts off the boards spelled the difference for the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, who hacked out a 75-64 win over the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in Game 1 of their best-of-three Finals in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Belo had 13 rebounds to go with his 13 points as the Tamaraws crushed the Growling Tigers in the battle of the boards, 56-32, while also shutting down UST’s gunners in the final four minutes.
“I think it was our defense. At the start, we had consecutive lapses. But we gained the momentum when we did things. At du’n kami nakakuha ng momentum,” said FEU coach Nash Racela when asked what was the key factor for the win.
Racela said the Tamaraws’ defensive efforts had been underrated since the start of the season, but added that their hard work paid off in the end.
“Lalo na kapag defense ang pinag-usapan. I think it showed today,” Racela added.
Roger Pogoy led the Tamaraws with 15 points, including a driving shot against Kevin Ferrer in the last 3:37, allowing FEU to retake the lead for good, 63-62.
As UST fired blanks and were forced into turnovers, the Tamaraws made their move to widen their lead in the final 1:20.
Mike Tolomia, who chipped in 14 points, hit a jumper before Prince Orizu scored on pass by Belo to hand FEU a five-point edge, 69-62.
Tolomia then stole off Louie Vigil, and drove in to give FEU an insurmountable 71-62 edge in the last 1:20.
The win sent FEU a win away from winning a record-setting 20th men’s basketball title that will end a 10-year title drought.
But Kevin Ferrer, the UST team skipper who spoke in behalf of coach Bong de la Cruz, said the Tams won’t have an easy time in Game 2.
“Ito (rebounds) ang strength ng FEU. Natalo kami sa rebounds. Iwo-work out namin ito,” said Ferrer.
Ferrer said that De la Cruz reminded them they need to keep FEU from controlling the boards again.
The Tamarwas can claim the crown on Saturday if they beat UST in Game 2 at 3:30 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.
UST drew 19 points from Kareem Abdul, including six in the third quarter, where the Tigers cut down FEU’s lead to five with his three freebies, 51-56, with 45.6 ticks to go.
Ferrer then scored on two more lay-ups with 5:16 remaining to tie the match at 57-all, with still 9:16 to go, and the Tigers had their last taste of the lead, 62-61 on a drive by Vigil.
The Tamaraws were actually in cruise control in the first half with Pogoy and Tolomia joining forces for an early 22-18 lead, which they padded to nine, 36-27, midway in the second period.
Another triple from Pogoy and a drive by Arong had FEU taking a 12-point, 43-31 spread in the final 2:35 of the first half.
They held UST scoreless for the next two minutes, with Escoto scoring a putback, giving FEU its biggest lead of 14, 45-31 at the end of the half.
Overall, the Tamaraws finished with a 51.3 percent field goal, while UST had 39.47 percent.
Games Saturday
(Araneta Coliseum)
10 a.m. Ateneo vs La Salle
(women stepladder semis)
3:30 p.m. FEU vs La Salle (Game 2)