spot_img
28.1 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

Gritty win ends Tams’ 10-year title drought

- Advertisement -

THIS time around, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws proved to be the tougher team in the endgame.

Mac Belo opened the door to two scoring opportunities in the dying seconds as the Tamaraws pulled off a 67-62 triumph over the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in the deciding Game 3 of the 78th University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ Best-of-Three Finals Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Members of the FEU Tamaraws celebrate their 20th title conquest after beating the UST Tigers, 2-1, in the UAAP Best-of-Three Finals at the MOA Arena. LINO SANTOS

Belo’s heroics handed the Tams a record-setting 20th men’s basketball championship, whicso ended a decade-long title drought as they won their last UAAP crown in 2005. 

Belo split his charities with 18.2 seconds left, allowing FEU to gain a 65-62 cushion.

But the former national player wasn’t finished. 

- Advertisement -

He rushed back on defense on the other end to block a layup by red-hot UST guard Ed Daquioag, setting up Russell Escoto for the two title-clinching freebies that sparked the wild celebration of  FEU’s supporters as confetti and multi-colored balloons fell from the catwalk.

The 6’4” Belo, who was later adjudged as the Finals’ Most Valuable Player, went on to end his final year with the Tams with 23 points and eight rebounds. He battled leg cramps at the bench in the remaining 11.2 seconds.

But the dagger, go-ahead triple from the Tamaraws came from Roger Pogoy, whose last trey gave the lead back to the Morayta-based school at 61-60 with 1:27 to go, after trailing by as much as 53-59. Pogoy struck with 14 points, including seven in the final canto.

Mike Tolomia, who canned in 13 points, then put FEU ahead, 63-60, with his layup off Abdul in the final 1:01, as the Tamaraws moved ahead after UST’s Marvin Lee bungled a trey and turned the ball over.

“The boys promised me this gift. This was a good gift that they guaranteed,” said FEU coach Nash Racela, who celebrated his 44th birthday on Monday.

Daquioag tallied a game-high 21 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter for the Growling Tigers, who came back from as much as 41-51.

Daquioag’s three successive baskets in the last 4:20, highlighted by his driving shot off his steal from Escoto put UST ahead, 59-53, only to lose the lead behind the Tamaraws’ gritty endgame flurry.

Daquioag’s two charities off Belo’s foul in the last 54.5 seconds had the Tigers threatening at 62-63. 

The Tigers won Game 2 on Kevin Ferrer’s 29-point explosion. This time around, Ferrer was limited to just 6 points.

UST coach Bong dela Cruz commended the way FEU defended against them.

“The boys relaxed. ‘Di kami nakapag-execute sa defense ng FEU,” said Dela Cruz.

The scores:

FEU 67—Belo 23, Pogoy 14, Tolomia 13, Tamsi 6, Escoto 5, Inigo 3. Jose 2, Orizu 1, Arong 0, Dennison 0, Escoto 0, Trinidad 0.

UST 62—Daquioag 21, Abdul 12, Lee 9, Ferrer 6, Lao 6, Vigil 6, Bonleon 2, Faundo 0, Huang 0, Sheriff 0.

Quarterscores: 18-19, 30-all, 51-46, 67-62.

 

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles