FEU win endangers La Salle's Final 4 bid

Far Eastern University escaped with a 71-69 decision over De La Salle U in extra period on Saturday to gain a shot of finishing on top in the 72nd UAAP men's basketball tournament. “Hirap na hirap," said Glen Capacio of host FEU after bagging their 11th win in 13 games that ensured the Tamaraws of at least a second place finish in the standings after the eliminations. “One hundred percent ibibigay namin against Ateneo in our last assignment in the season," added Capacio referring to their meeting with the league-leading Blue Eagles on September 12, the result of which shall determine the top two positions. But for FEU to bag the top spot, they must beat Ateneo by more than four points since the defending champions from Katipunan won their first meeting by four points, 63-59. All is not lost, however, for the Green Archers, which suffered their eighth defeat in 13 games but their Final Four hopes now lie in the hands of University of Santo Tomas. The Growling Tigers are currently in fourth with a 6-6 record and needs just to win once in order to secure the final semis berth. UST will face Adamson on Sunday and UE on September 10. Ryan Garcia scored three of the Tamaraws’ six points in extra period, including a split free throw on La Salle point guard Joseph Tolentino's fourth foul with six seconds remaining. Garcia’s split at the charity line gave the Tams a 71-69 advantage. La Salle's Samuel Marata, who sent the game into overtime on a timely three-pointer with 7.9 seconds left in regulation, missed on his own attempt in La Salle’s possession to send the huge FEU gallery into a frenzy. “Hindi bumitaw ang mga bata. Sinabi ko naman sa kanila na parang final four na ang mga matches sa second round. Dikitan ang mangyayari at sinuwerte kami na manalo," said Capacio. FEU trailed for most of the match as La Salle capitalized on the absence of Tamaraws big men Jaymo Eguilos and Hippolyte Noundou being one of the several factors. Both players are suffering from ankle sprains sustained during practice and in their last match. But Reil Cervantes, Aldrech Ramos and Ric Cawaling made up for their absence with the former ending up with 20 points spiked by eight rebounds and two block shots. Ramos posted his sixth double-double performance with 10 points and 19 rebounds while Cawaling, who only had five markers, hauling down 10 boards. Cervantes' free thows off a foul by Yutien Andrada gave the Tamaraws their first taste of the lead at 53-51 with 5:43 left in the match. A Garcia triple turned that Tams slim lead into a 62-55 edge before La Salle came back behind Joshua Webb and Marata’s three-pointer forcing the five-minute extension. – Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV