Tams dash Bulldogs’ UAAP Final Four hope

The Far Eastern University (FUE) Tamaraws formally ended the National University (NU) Bulldogs' Final Four aspirations after the Morayta dribblers defeated the latter, 72-70, in the second Saturday game of the 70th UAAP men's basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

JR Cawaling had a sterling performance for his team after a personal career best of 21 points while handing off five assists. Benedict Fernandez, meanwhile, contributed 15 points and six rebounds, while Reil Cervantes produced 10 points and six boards. Raymund Aguilar was the big dog for NU with his 15 points, while bigman Edwin Asoro had his usual double-double number of 13 points and 15 rebounds plus two assists, two steals, and two blocks. Shooting guard Jonathan Fernandez had dismal performance with only 11 points to show. Incidentally, the hard-earned victory by the Tamaraws also put some life on their 70th season campaign as they improved their win-loss record to 7-6, good for fifth place in the men's standings. Their last game, which will be against defending champions University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers on September 13, will be crucial as this will determine whether or not they will have a chance to enter the Final Four tournament. UST currently is in fourth place with a 7-5 record and will face the Adamson Falcons on Sunday. “I give credit to the boys. Binigay nila ang lahat para manalo" said FEU coach Glenn Capacio, who stressed to his wards the importance of this match up. “Kung mag-final four kami, siguro parang champion na ako (If we reach the Final Four it will be like winning the championship)," Capacio said. “Pero kapag nandoon na kami, sino bang ayaw sa finals? (But if we make it there, who doesn’t want to be in the finals?)" FEU's victory over the Bulldogs was only assured in the last seconds of the game as Asoro's tip-in after a Cyrus Malagueño's miss failed to sink. The Tamaraws actually were leading comfortably at 71-65 going to the last two minutes of the game when the Bulldogs went on a 5-0 run, to close the gap at 71-70, 39.7 seconds left. The next offensive play by the Tamaraws saw main man MacMac Baracael getting fouled while attempting to take a shot. He converted one of his two freebies to put the score at 72-70. The Bulldogs, currently in sixth place with a 5-8 card, had a last chance to tie and send the game into overtime but they failed to cash in on the chance. - GMANews.TV