Tams fend off Bulldogs for share of Filoil Group B lead

Games Sunday

(Filoil Flying V Centre)

11:15 p.m. – UST vs JRU

1:30 p.m. – FEU vs Mapua

3:15 p.m. – UP vs Adamson

5 p.m. – San Beda vs La Salle

MANILA, Philippines – Far Eastern U showed composure in the fourth quarter as it turned back National U, 88-77, on Friday to jump into a share of the Group B lead with State U in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

RJ Ramirez, born in Toronto, Canada of Rosario, Cavite-born parents Romeo and Virginia, came through with a game-high 15 points, including some key baskets and defensive stops in the final period to help propel the Tams to their third win in row.

And unlike in their first two wins over St. Benilde and Arellano U where they blew double-digit leads to win by a single digit, FEU coach Olsen Racela said he was satisfied with the poise his players showed in the fourth canto in this game.

"Obviously, there was more focus now, that's what I want from my boys to show improvement every game," said Racela.

For Ramirez, she wants to dedicate this win to his late mom.

“I’m doing this for my mother who passed away two years ago. That’s why I’m here to play basketball and possibly go to the next level,” he said.

FEU may have lost Hubert Cani for a couple of games after he tweaked an ankle midway in the last quarter.

The Bulldogs slid to their second defeat against three triumphs.

Earlier, Emilio Aguinaldo bucked the absence of Cameroonian Hamadou Laminou as it downed St. Benilde, 78-70, to improve to 2-3 (win-loss).

Jerome Garcia and Francis Munsayac fired 20 and 13 points, respectively, while Fil-Nigerian Sydney Onwubere pounded his way to 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks to help fill the void left by the 6-10 Laminou, who sat out due to knee issues.

The Blazers fell to their fifth straight defeat against a win.

The scores:

EAC 78 – Garcia 20, Munsayac 13, Onwubere 12, Bautista 10, Bugarin 8, Guzman 8, Diego 4, Mendoza I. 3, Pascua 0, Mendoza J. 0, Gonzales 0, Mendoza N. 0, Corilla 0, Tampoc 0, Altiche 0.

CSB 70 – Leutcheu 21, Dixon 11, Sta. Maria 8, Bunyi 8, San Juan 6, Castor 5, Naboa 5, Pili 4, Suarez 2, Domingo 0, Young 0 Velasco 0, Mercado 0.

Quarterscores: 25-17; 42-31; 59-51; 78-70.

Second Game

FEU 88 – Ramirez 15, Dennison 12, Tolentino 12, Cani 9, Bienes 8, Escoto 8, Orizu 8, Comboy 7, Tuffin 4, Inigo 3, Parker 2, Ebona 0. Trinidad 0, Bayquin 0

NU 77 – Gaye 14, Morido 12, Alejandro 11, Salem 11, Tibayan 9, Bartlett 4, Yu 4, Diputado 4, Aquino 2, Rangel 2, Lastimosa 2, Mosqueda 2, Abatayo 0, Galvelo 0

Quarterscores: 26-all; 46-45; 67-62; 88-77