Tams face Archers in playoff for Final 4

MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern U, the topnotcher of the first round who found itself on the brink of eliminations, lives to fight for another day.

Rising to the occasion in a game that meant either survival or extinction in UAAP Season 81 men’s hoops, the Tamaraws outduelled pressure-free and shorthanded Adamson, 82-56, to clinch a playoff for the last Final Four berth yesterday at the MOA Arena.

All-business from the opening buzzer on, the hot-starting Tams rained down 14 unanswered points on a Falcons team that rested ailing stars Sean Manganti (ankle injury) and Jerrick Ahanmisi (sore throat) to lay the foundation for the all-important eighth win that sent them to a rubbermatch with La Salle on Wednesday for the right to face No. 1 Ateneo in the Final Four.

The Falcons ended the elims with 10-4, their place as second seed in semis against No. 3 University of the Philippines secured despite this loss.

“We’re finally getting the breaks dito sa second round,” said FEU coach Olsen Racela, whose team started the second round with four straight losses, hurt by injury to Prince Orizu and suspension of Arvin Tolentino, but revived its bid with three victories in the wind-up.

“If we took care of business early on, dapat nasa mas magandang posisyon kami. Hindi naman maiiwasan ang injury and it happened during very crucial games against teams na kadikit namin,” he added.

Earlier, National U nipped University of the East in a battle of also-rans, 79-71.

The Scores

First Game

NU 79 – Rike 17, Gaye 12, D. Ildefonso  9, S. Ildefonso 9, Aquino 7, Yu 6, Salim 6, Diputado 5, Galinato 4, Clemente 2, Tibayan 2, Morido 0, Joson 0, Malonzo 0

UE 71 – Pasaol 20, Conner 19, Acuno 11, Varilla 10, Manalang 7, Bartolome 2, Guion 2, Cullar 0, Maloles 0, Gallardo 0, Strait 0

Quarterscores: 21-17, 44-32, 58-46, 79-71.

Second Game

FEU 82 – Comboy 11, Cani 10, Tolentino 10, Stockton 8, Parker 7, Tuffin 7, Ebona 6, Inigo 4, Bienes 3, Gonzales 3, Nunag 3, Orizu 3, Ramirez 3, Escoto 2, Jopia 2, Bayquin 0.

AdU 56 – Lastimosa 11, Bernardo 8, Espeleta 8, Camacho 6, Sarr 6, Catapusan 4, Zaldivar 4, Colonia 2, Macion 2, Pingoy 2, Maata 1, V. Magbuhos 1, W. Magbuhos 1, Mojica 0.

Quarterscores: 21-8, 46-22, 70-40, 82-56.