FEU slips past Ateneo to win 6th in a row

Jane Bracher

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FEU slips past Ateneo to win 6th in a row

Czeasar Dancel

FEU improves to a 7-1 record for solo first place while Ateneo drops to 4-4

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Far Eastern University stretched its win streak to 6 after escaping Ateneo de Manila University, 66-61, and gained solo first place with a 7-1 record in the men’s basketball tournament of UAAP Season 78 on Sunday, October 11 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Mac Belo scattered 12 points, 5 rebounds, two assists and a block off the bench for the Tamaraws, inluding the crucial jumper with 3:16 remaining for the 59-56 cushion amid the Blue Eagles rally.

Russel Escoto added 10 markers and 6 boards while Roger Pogoy contributed 10 points and two blocks as FEU outscored Ateneo, 19-14, in the final frame. Mike Tolomia was quiet with just 8 points, 4 rebounds and two assists in close to just 19 minutes on the floor due to foul trouble.

Despite the win that shoved them ahead of the pack in the Final Four race, head coach Nash Racela is not satisfied with the Tamaraws’ performance particularly on defense.

“It was a struggle defensively. We committed a lot of fouls in the first half. It was hard for us to make adjustments defensively,” he said during the post-game interview. “I think it’s good that other players I fielded in played good defense. Other guys really stepped in.”

As early as halftime 6 Tamaraws already committed two fouls each including key players Mike Tolomia, Pogoy, Belo and Escoto. They also gave up 32 first half points to Ateneo.

“Too many mental mistakes on our part today,” rued Racela, who still sees a silver lining.

“Struggles will always help us improve so we welcome that. We told them after the first round that yes, we’re 6-1 before this game but we could easily be 3-4 because of close games we almost lost,” he explained.

“We shouldn’t really be happy with where we’re at right now. We should focus more on the things we can improve on.”

The Tamaraws opened the fourth with an 8-2 run and weathered the Eagles’ ensuing rally spearheaded by reigning MVP Kiefer Ravena, who poured 11 of his 15 points in the payoff period.

From a 7-point deficit, Ravena brought Ateneo to within one, 55-54, with 5:26 left to play. But composure and smart execution carried FEU down the stretch as Belo finally broke his team’s silence from the field with a jumper for the 59-56 cushion.

Ravena later converted on a strong drive off the glass to make it just a one-possession ballgame, 64-61, with 36.5 ticks left but FEU was steady from the line to put the game away.

The graduating team captain also had with 5 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a block on top of 4 turnovers in over 33 minutes of play.

Combo guard Adrian Wong contributed 14 markres, 9 of which he scored in the first half, and two steals. Von Pessumal had 8 points while big man Chibueze Ikeh finished with 6 markers and 10 boards, including 5 on the offensive end.

Ateneo remained in the middle of the pack with a 4-4 record.

 

Scores:

 

FEU (66): Belo 12, Ru. Escoto 10, Pogoy 10, Tolomia 8, Iñigo 7, Tamsi 6, Dennison 4, Arong 3, Jose 2, Orizu 2, Trinidad 2, Ri. Escoto 0, K. Holmqvist 0.

 

Ateneo (61): Ravena 15, Wong 14, Pessumal 8, Gotladera 7, Black 6, Ikeh 6, Babilonia 3, A. Tolentino 2, Apacible 0, Cani 0, Capacio 0, Ma. Nieto 0, V. Tolentino 0.

 

Quarters: 19-19, 30-32, 47-47, 66-61.

 

 – Rappler.com

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