UAAP: FEU beats UST, 84-73, to force playoff

(Updated 7:22 p.m.) The Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws forced a playoff for the fourth slot in the semifinals of the UAAP men's basketball tournament by defeating the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, 84-73, on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum. The Tigers put up a gallant late rally to cut the Tamaraws' lead to six points, 73-79, with more than two minutes left in the fourth period, but FEU's guns blazed to stop UST's offensive. The Tamaraws' Riel Cervantes and point guard Benedict Fernandez were named best players for making a combined 30 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals for the Tams. It was a crucial victory for the Tamaraws because it put them in a tie with the defending champs with an 8-6 win-loss card, good for fourth place. As a result, they get into a play-off for the last ticket to the semifinal round next week. "It was all heart and effort on the part of the boys," Tamaraws coach Glen Capacio said. "Even most of my players are rookies, they already showed their maturity by competing and playing with their best." The Tamaraws led for most part of the game, never letting up even thought the Tigers threatened to erase their slim lead in the fourth period. The last time the Tigers were able to make a run was in the six-minute mark of the fourth as MVP leading contender Jervy Cruz hit an undergoal stab to cut the Tams' lead to just three-points at 68-65. Cruz finished the game with 12 points and 12 rebounds. The Tamaraws managed to hold on due to the clutch shooting of Cervantes and main man Mac-Mac Baracael. They increased their lead to 11 points, 78-67, after a 10-2 run, with less than two-minutes left in the game. The Tigers were able to trim the lead to just six points at 79-73 after free throws from Anthony Espiritu. They even had a chance to cut it further after missed free throws by point guard Mark Barocca after one play. But the España-based cagers wasted their opportunity, failing to collar the offensive rebound with 39.3 seconds left in the clock, thus giving the ball back to the Tams. Free throws from Baracael and another fastbreak layup put the final nail on the coffin to the Tigers at 84-73. The Tamas had a hot start in the first 10 minutes of the game as Paul Sanga burned the hoops with three three-point conversions as they take a 19-14 lead. The Tamaraws were again at their best in the second quarter as they increased their lead to nine points at 39-30. What compounded the Tigers' woes was their numerous turnovers and missed free-throw attempts in that period. Typifying the Tigers' poor free throw shooting was Cruz, who just shot a measly 12 percent from the line, going 1 out 8 from there for the game. The Tigers shot poorly from the field in the first half, going 33 percent on 12-36 shooting compared to the Tams' 42 percent or 16-38. The Tigers, however, managed to stay close due to more rebounds, 29-20. They also had more turnovers 13-6. The Tigers were led in the first half by rookie-sensation Khasim Mirza, who had 12 points (3 of 3 from three point territory), while Baracael had 10 points for the Tams. Quarter scores (FEU-UST): 19-14, 39-30, 58-59, 84-73

- GMANews.TV