UAAP: FEU Tamaraws shoot down Ateneo Eagles in bruising OT win

(Updated 6:58pm) Two teams threw haymakers at each other for 45 minutes, but in the end, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws simply had more in the tank, enduring the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 79-75, Wednesday at the MOA Arena.

[Review the play-by-play of this game here]

The victory gave FEU an early edge in the standings, thanks to a 2-0 card. The five-peat defending champions Ateneo, on the other hand, met UP in the cellar, with 0-2 records for both teams. The Blue Eagles have not started the season in a two-loss hole since 2003, and never conceded back-to-back games during their five title runs.

"Sabi ko sa inyo the last time, Ateneo is a strong team. Kung third game nila kami, baka nayari kami," FEU head coach Nash Racela said.

"They'll be much better when Kiefer Ravena comes back."

The high-scoring guard trio of FEU, Mike Tolomia, RR Garcia and Terrence Romeo, kicked off overtime with a 7-1 run, forcing the Blue Eagles to sue for time, 2:32 left, down 73-67.

Four markers by Ryan Buenafe kept Ateneo alive, then Juami Tiongson stole the inbounds and made two charities off the foul, 73-all. The Eagles forced a stop, but Roger Pogoy was there for the steal and score, 75-73.

An errant pass by Nico Elorde gave possession back to FEU, forcing them to foul Romeo, who dutifully canned both free throws. Gwynne Capacio drew a foul and hit both, keeping Ateneo alive, but barely, with seven seconds left, 77-75.

A quick foul sent Romeo to the line anew, with Ateneo burning just a second, but he made both. Newsome then ended the game with a turnover, as the FEU faithful celebrated, even though Romeo's final lay-up was not counted.

Terrence Romeo led FEU with 21 points, despite a 4-of-18 clip from the field. He made up for it by making 12-of-13 from the stripe, while adding nine rebounds, three assists and three steals.

A 13-1 run spanning the end of the third and the beginning of the fourth had the Eagles in another hole, 55-44, before a Von Pessumal triple snapped their field goal drought, 7:53 left in the game.

Anthony Hargrove restored FEU's double-digit lead with an undergoal stab, but Buenafe caught fire, putting his fingerprints all over an 11-0 blitz by the defending champions, for a 58-57 lead, 5:13 still to play.

An exchange of free throws tied the game at 59-all, but an and-one play by RR Garcia and a put-back by Anthony Hargrove had FEU up by five, 64-59. Nico Elorde however canned a huge triple to keep the Eagles fighting.

Hargrove and Newsome swapped scores, but two FEU misses later, Newsome got to the line and nailed two charities, tying the game with 10 seconds left, 66-all. Off a timeout, the Tams went to RR Garcia, but with Elorde wrapped all over him, his shot was off, resulting in an extra five minutes.

Marquee Blue Eagle Kiefer Ravena did not play in this game, as he continued to rest his sprained ankle, which was encased in a walking boot. He had played just eight minutes in their season-opener versus NU.

Ateneo started out like a house on fire, seizing a 12-2 lead just under five minutes into the game. However, it did not last, as Gryann Mendoza and Terrence Romeo woke up and began to connect. The duo each nailed a triple, to cut the Blue Eagles' lead to four, 18-14, 10 minutes down.

RR Garcia began the second with a triple for his first points of the game, and together with Romeo and Carl Bryan Cruz, the Tams edged ahead, 21-20. It fell to Chris Newsome and Ryan Buenafe to keep Ateneo's heads above water, and they combined for 11 of their side's 15 points in the second period.

Six straight by FEU knotted the game at 31-all, 33 seconds left, but Nico Elorde was able to draw a foul late for two markers, enough for a 33-31 ADMU lead at the half.

Buenafe hit anew out of the intermission, pushing the Blue Eagles' lead to five, 36-31, but an 11-1 run by Far Eastern gave them the lead, 42-37. A 6-0 counter-run by Ateneo handed them a single-digit advantage, 43-42, but they would manage just one more point, in the third, as FEU continued to create separation, 53-44 entering the final quarter.