FEU coach Capacio already in Final Four mode

Far Eastern University coach Glenn Capacio is already preparing his team for their semifinal campaign in the 72nd UAAP men’s basketball tournament. After all, the Tamaraws – an 86-74 winner over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Saturday – are already assured of a Final Four slot and are in a good position of clinching one of the top two spots that carry a twice-to-beat edge in the semifinals. “We will prepare for La Salle. That would be a good test for my players going into the Final Four round," said Capacio as he prepares for the Tams’ scheduled September 5 meeting with the Green Archers. After La Salle, FEU ends its season against defending champion Ateneo on September 12 in what could be a finals preview. Capacio, who was also a most valuable player winner while playing for FEU, said they are one win away of getting the much-coveted twice-to-beat edge. “One more win since we are really aiming for that semifinal advantage." “My wards played well. This is good for the team since I want them to be sharp during the semifinals." FEU now holds a 10-2 card just half-a-game behind league-leading Ateneo’s 10-1 mark while UP absorbed their eighth loss in 11 games and is now virtually out of the Final Four race. Ryan Garcia, Aldrech Ramos, Andy Barroca and Hippolyte Noundou turned in their usual numbers as the Tamaraws immediately stamped their class over the Maroons taking an early 13-2 lead in the opening period. UP fought back from FEU’s several double-digit leads and cut the deficit to five, 32-27, at the turn. FEU then piled up the points in the third period using a 22-9 exchange, highlighted by Ric Cawaling’s back-to-back three-pointers, to take a commanding 57-36 lead and spoil UP’s chances of a reversal. Ramos posted his fifth double-double finish this season with 16 points and a career-high 15 rebounds while Noundou, who scored all of his points in the first half, had 10 markers and 11 boards. Woody Co led UP with 24 points while teammates Mark Lopez and Alvin Padilla chipped in 12 and 14 markers. But the three combined for 12 turnovers with Co givingup the ball five times. – Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV