FEU dominates Ateneo in season debut

Naveen Ganglani

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FEU dominates Ateneo in season debut

Josh Albelda

The FEU Tamaraws dominate Ateneo from start to finish

MANILA, Philippines – The Far Eastern University Tamaraws came into Season 78 of the UAAP seniors basketball tournament with a ton of expectations on their shoulders.

After their opening game against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, not only did they meet the anticipation; they exceeded it..

With all guys on his team playing very impressively, Coach Nash Racela’s Tamaraws dominated the Blue Eagles from start to finish and wound up with a 88-64 victory on Sunday, September 6, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Roger Pogoy led the scoring for the winning side with 19 points and 4 3-pointers, while Mike Tolomia finished with an all-around performance of 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. 

FEU star Mike Belo played well with 16 points, while Raymark Jose also registered 16 to go with 10 boards.

Reigning UAAP MVP Kiefer Ravena finished with 25 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds for the Blue Eagles, who shot just 30% from the field. Gwayne Capacio pitched in 14 points for Ateneo, who did not have any other double-digit scorer.

Von Pessumal finished with 9 points but shot 3-of-12 from the field. Arvin Tolentino and Hubert Cani had just two points each. Rookies Matt and Mike Nieto and Jerie Pingoy were all scoreless.

“Our objective on defense was to limit touches of Kiefer Ravena. He scored 25. He took 18 shots and 8 free throws so I don’t think we were successful defensively,” said Racela, whose squad lost to the NU Bulldogs in 3 games in last year’s UAAP finals.

“We don’t play for others,” said the third-year FEU head coach, whose Tamaraws recorded 17 assists. 

Importante saamin (what’s important) is we just focus on the task at hand, kahit sino yung kalaban namin (whoever our opponent is). We were just fortunate today outside shots were coming in especially at the start of the ball game.”

FEU raced off to a 23-11 lead at the end of the first quarter and was on top by 18, 44-26, at the half. It was a non-contest from there on out.

The dominant Tamaraws shot 51% from the field and 35% from downtown. They also out-rebounded the Blue Eagles, 46-40. 

FEU, now 1-0, will be back in action on Wednesday, September 9, when they go up against the UST Growling Tigers. OnSunday, September 13, they take on the DLSU Green Archers in a rematch of last year’s Final Four series.

Na-realize namin (we realize) na we’re playing 3 possible teams in the Final Four, so we’ll prepare for the next game. Not looking at La Salle yet but of course we’re doing our part. We’re just scouting, especially today; they played really, really well,” said Racela.

“Veteran core,” he commented about UST. “I think they’re 8 to 9 man deep, so mahirap na kalaban yan (so they’re hard opponents). If [Karim] Adbul gets his timing back, it will be hard for all of us.”

The Blue Eagles, now 0-1, will try to bounce back on Saturday, September 12, against the Adamson Soaring Falcons.

Scores:

FEU (88): Pogoy 19, Tolomia 17, Belo 16, Jose 16, Escoto 6, Arong 5, Inigo 5, Dennison 4, Escoto 0, Holmqvist 0, Orizu 0, Tamsi 0, Trinidad 0

ADMU (64): Ravena 25, Capacio 14, Pessumal 9, Gotladera 6, Wong 4, Cani 2, Ikeh 2, Tolentino 2, Babilonia 0, Nieto 0, Nieto 0, Pingoy 0, Tolentino 0

Quarter scores: 23-11, 44-26, 64-49, 88-64 – Rappler.com

– Rappler.com

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