Tams prove character in win over Tigers
October 1, 2016 | 7:10pm
MANILA, Philippines – Despite the convincing 79-72 win over Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University's Nash Racela believes the game still put his wards to the test --especially their character as a squad.
"I felt they played us tough on the defensive end," the Tams' tactician said. "It was a test because we were coming off a 51-point output when we played UP."
The same sentiment resonated even with FEU's top scorer, third-year Jojo Trinidad, who came off the bench with to register a career-high 17 points and five rebounds.
"My coach said we need to bounce back from the UP game," Trinidad said. "I was going through a slump ... I let the game come to me and that was the difference."
Prince Orizu (L) and Augus Denila gang up on UST's Marvin Lee | Philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV
"I felt like today we shared the ball more, got our open looks and the results came out," he said.
True enough, even after losing Ron Dennison to suspension, the defending champs leaned on team play, drawing 11 markers from Monbert Arong and nine points and 13 boards from Prince Orizu, who wowed the crowd with a two-handed dunk in transition.
Raymar Jose finished the game with 16 points.
"I think what's critical today was our assists," Racela said.
"Like coach said in the beginning of the game, we ought to look for the best shot possible," Trinidad said.
The win brought the Tams a share of the second spot, joining the Blue Eagles and the Bulldogs.
But Racela insists he along with his wards are not resting on their laurels.
"If you look at the stats, the three games that we won, we allowed the opponents to score on an average of less than 60," he said. "Against La Salle and Ateneo, it was close to 80 points.
"The challenge today was to score more than 51," he added. "Continuous 'yung struggle to get better."
FEU's Raymar Jose | Philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV
"Teams are pressing and zoning a lot. It's a challenge for us."
And that will only coninue in their last first-round assignment in NU, as the Bulldogs are notorious with zone defense.
"It will be a challenge for us. Hopefully our minds will be ready," Racela closed.
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