PCCL: FEU second-half surge carries Tams past NU Bulldogs

The Far Eastern University Tamaraws are showing that there’s life after Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia.

Despite playing without two UAAP MVPs who have since been drafted in the PBA, the Tamaraws dispatched the Bobby Ray Parks-led NU Bulldogs, 88-70, on Monday, in the stepladder portion of the Luzon-Metro Manila PCCL bracket at the Ynares Arena in Pasig.

Previously in the tourney, NU eliminated the NCAA’s University of Perpetual Help Altas, and the UE Red Warriors, while FEU toppled the San Sebastian Stags, also from the NCAA.

NU took an early 4-0 lead, but by the 7:15 mark, Gelo Alolino finally had NU on the board, and the Bulldogs  knotted up the game at 10-all, with 4:32 left in the first.

From there, it was all National U., as they unleashed a 15-6 run to end the initial period, putting them on top, 21-16.

The Bulldogs continued to stay ahead in the second period, but seven straight by FEU brought them to within three, 34-31. Moments later, a Gryann Mendoza make made it a two-point affair, 38-36, but Jeoffrey Javillonar had the last say in the first half, finishing an and-one play for a 41-36 lead at the break.

A halftime pep talk from head coach Nash Racela seemed to do wonders for FEU as they exploded out of the gates with a 16-2 bomb, powered by Mac Belo and Anthony Hargrove, giving them the lead, 52-43. That formed the body of a 29-11 period, as Bobby Ray Parks tried to put his team on his shoulders, but the Bulldogs still trailed, 65-52, with a quarter left.

Gryann Mendoza opened the final canto with a triple, making it a 68-52 advantage for his team, but six straight by NU made things interesting, 68-58.

In response, FEU got seven unanswered from Hargrove and Mike Tolomia, 77-58. The Tams then rode out the rest of the game, with a trey by Ron Dennison putting this one away, 88-69, 1:17 remaining.

FEU A. Hargrove 28 Pts 13/15 FG's 13 Rebs 2 Blks @miketolomia13 24 Pts 10/15 FG's 4 Rebs 2 Asts @GryannMendoza 11 Pts 5 Rebs 5 Asts #PCCL

— Pong Ducanes (@ompongski) December 2, 2013

NU @ray15parks 21 Pts 5 Rebs 5 Asts @geloalolino 11 Pts 3 Asts T. Perez 10 Pts 6 Rebs J. Javillonar 10 Pts 6 Rebs 3 Asts #PCCL

— Pong Ducanes (@ompongski) December 2, 2013

Hargrove & Tolomia outscored the entire NU squad 34-28 in the 2nd Half. #PCCL

— Pong Ducanes (@ompongski) December 2, 2013

Anthony Hargrove finished with 28 big points on 13-of-15 shooting, along with 13 rebounds and two blocks. Mike Tolomia added 24 markers, four rebounds and two dimes, while Gryann Mendoza stuffed the stats sheet with 11 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Hargrove and Tolomia alone out-scored NU 34-28 in the second half of the game.

Bobby Ray Parks finished with 21 points, five rebounds and five assists, but was just 6-of-14 from the field, though he made up for it via a 9-of-10 clip at the foul line. Gelo Alolino compiled 11 points and three dimes, while Tristan Perez had 10 markers and six boards.

The Tamaraws finished shooting 50 percent from the field, compared to just 36.7 percent by the Bulldogs. NU though went 21-of-32 from the foul line, versus a tame 7-of-10 stint by FEU.

FEU also dominated the glass, 44-28, 13-7 on the offensive end.

It was the final game for several NU players finishing up their eligibility, namely Mark De Guzman, Troy Rosario, Robin Rono and Dennice Villamor.

FEU will face the winner of UST versus Letran, for the right to advance to the tournament's Final Four. - AMD, GMA News


The scores:
 
FEU (88) - Hargrove 28, Tolomia 24, Mendoza 11, Belo 9, Dennison 5, Cruz 4, Inigo 3, Pogoy 2, Sentcheu 2, Luiz 0, Lee Yu 0, Delfinado 0, Aguilon 0, Jose 0

NU (70) - Parks 21, Alolino 11, Perez 10, Javillonar 10, Neypes 7, Rono 3, Alejandro 3, Rosario 2, Khobuntin 2, Labing-isa 1, Villamor 0, Javelona 0

Quarter scoring: 16-21, 36-42, 65-53, 88-70