UAAP: Tamaraws hold back Maroons anew

(Updated 4:59pm) The Far Eastern University Tamaraws gained better footing in the Final Four race by holding on to defeat the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 67-63, Thursday, at the Philsports Arena, in the second round of eliminations, in the 75th season of the UAAP. With a 9-3 card, the Tams now tie the idle UST Growling Tigers for second place in the standings. The Maroons, on the other hand, fell to 1-12, and at best, can tie their record of last season, 2-12 with a win in their last game of the season. "UP always gives us a close game kasi they're a good rebounding team," said Tams coach Bert Flores. "Kahit four points lang, panalo parin." Roger Pogoy led his team with a game-high 16 points and seven rebounds. Terrence Romeo chipped in 13 points despite a 4 for 16 clip from the floor, while RR Garcia added 11 points and four assists. Romeo dropped five straight points, beginning the fourth with difficult shots to extend the lead to 58-52. Their run, however, was marred by unsportsmanlike fouls called on Arvie Bringas and Mac Belo. The free trips to the line, combined with the bonus possessions, allowed UP to mount a comeback, as they went 9-2 over the next two minutes. With Alvin Padilla pouring in five straight, UP took a one-point lead, 61-60. But free throws by Romeo and a Anthony Hargrove tip-in compensated for a floater by Raul Soyud, allowing FEU to take a one-point lead back, 64-63, with under two minutes remaining. UP had their chances to regain control, but miscues on offense, including an offensive foul by Soyud, among other things, prevented them from coming back. Roger Pogoy then added two charities with a minute to play for a 66-63 lead. The Maroons got a huge break, after Romeo stepped out of bounds with 25 ticks remaining. However, that was the last bit of luck they would get, as they scrambled to get a good shot off. Both Jett Manuel and Mike Silungan missed attempts from deep, with the Tams finally collaring the rebound with a few seconds left. UP sent RR Garcia to the line where he got a split to arrive at the final score. It was yet another close game for FEU against UP. In their first-round encounter, FEU won by an even smaller margin, 73-70, after the Maroons missed on a chance to send the game to overtime. After early game jitters, UP's offense settled down to take a 7-6 lead, thanks to a putback by Raul Soyud. While the Tamaraws found open court opportunities and completed plays at the basket, the Maroons kept pace as their long jumpers began to fall, 13-12, with around three minutes to play. UP then managed to close out the quarter on top, after an Alinko Mbah undergoal stab beat the buzzer, 18-16. In the second quarter, the Tamaraws found themselves scoring at the rim, thanks to nifty halfcourt passing. Mike Gamboa rifled in a three to maintain separation, but FEU's Mac Belo scored five straight, capped by a long two from the right wing, to even things out at 25-all. FEU scored on consecutive drives and briefly took a one-point lead anew on a three-pointer by Terrence Romeo from the top of the key. Undaunted, Silungan knocked down a trey on the next play and then drew an unsportsmanlike foul. UP failed to convert on the bonus and the extra possession, but led, 34-32, with under a minute to play. Roger Pogoy managed two free throws to knot things anew however, making it 34-all at the break. Like in their last game, Jelo Montecastro provided a spark off the bench for the Maroons. The graduating point guard had a couple fastbreak buckets and an and-one during a 9-3 stretch after the intermission for UP, 43-37. The Tamaraws hit back as RR Garcia had an active hand in a 10-2 counter surge over the next three minutes. Along the way, Anthony Hargrove drew an unsportsmanlike foul from UP's Raul Soyud, in a game that was still going to get more physical. A pair of charities from Mike Silungan at 1:40 mark of the third ended a two-minute scoring drought for UP, making it 48-47 in favor of FEU. UP then managed just one more point, a charity by Jett Manuel after getting fouled on a triple, while FEU scored five to make it 53-48 with a quarter left to play. Mike Silungan topscored for UP with 12 points, while Alvin Padilla added 11 markers. FEU shot better from the field, 25-of-51, or 49 percent. In contrast, UP made only 23-of-64, or 35.9 percent, including 17 misses from beyond the arc. Contrary to Flores' assertion, the Maroons hardly posed a threat on the boards as FEU took a 46-27 rebounding advantage. The Tams finished the game with a 15-for-27 clip from the free throw line, and outscored UP on the fastbreak, 14-6. To their credit, UP enjoyed a 14-22 advantage in turnovers, resulting in 19 turnover points against FEU's 14. - AMD, GMA News The scores: FEU 67: Pogoy 16, Romeo 13, Garcia 11, Belo 7, Hargrove 5, Escoto 4, M Bringas 4, A Bringas 3, Mendoza 2, Cruz 0 UP 63: Silungan 12, Padilla 11, Soyud 8, Montecastro 7, Ball 6, Manuel 5, Lopez 4, Hipolito 3, Gamboa 3, Mbah 2, Asilum 2, Romero 0, Gallarza 0 Quarter scores: 16-18, 34-34, 53-48, 67-63