FEU Tamaraws stave off DLSU Archers, will face Falcons in Final Four

Far Eastern University got a better position in the Final Four after defeating De La Salle, 66-57, Sunday in the 74th UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum. The Tamaraws improved to 9-5 and got the third-seed in the semifinals to avoid an early showdown with three-time defending champion Ateneo. Instead, they will take on Adamson, a team that came off a morale-boosting victory over Ateneo last Saturday. But the Falcons will hold a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four that will start on Thursday. University of Santo Tomas took the fourth spot after bowing to National University in the first game and will face the Blue Eagles. “Maybe Coach Pido (Jarencio) is more comfortable playing Ateneo but for us, I don’t care who we face, what we need is a better standing," said FEU coach Bert Flores. Reigning Most Valuable Player RR Garcia and Aldrech Ramos had 19 and 18 points respectively while Terrence Romeo had 10 of his 17 points in the final period as they staved off the Green Archers’ attempt to end their season on a winning note. “We needed a good preparation for the Final Four in this game especially now that we are facing Adamson," said Flores. The Green Archers took a 31-24 lead in the second quarter but sputtered at the end of the third quarter when they gave up a triple by RR Garcia giving the Tamaraws a 48-47 lead going into the final period. La Salle pulled to within a point, 52-51, but that was the Green Archers’ last stand as a Garcia and Aldrech Ramos triple and a Romeo basket in between put the Tamaraws ahead, 60-51. Simon Atkins hit four of his eight threes to score 16 points in his final playing career as he along with Maui Villanueva were emotional as they ended their collegiate careers. Emotions also ran high when FEU assistant coach Vic Pablo and a La Salle team official had to be separated after a verbal altercation right after the game. —OMG, GMA News The scores: FEU 66—Garcia 19, Ramos 18, Romeo 17, Escoto 5, Cruz 4, Bringas 2, Pogoy 1, Tolomia 0, Knuttel 0, Exciminiano 0. DLSU 57—Atkins 16, Van Opstal 11, Webb 11, Mendoza 11, Revilla 2, Vosotros 2, Paredes 2, Marata 2, Torres 0, Tampus 0, Dela Paz 0, Villanueva 0. Quarters: 14-11, 27-33, 48-47, 66-57. Final team standings W-L ADMU 13-1 AdU 10-4 FEU 9-5 UST 8-6 NU 6-8 DLSU 5-9 UE 3-11 UP 2-12 Games Thursday (Araneta Coliseum) 12 n.n. – Ateneo vs. UST 3 p.m. – Adamson vs. FEU