Tams claim no. 1 spot

Former King Eagle now FEU Asst. Coach

Sitting at the bench of the Far Eastern University Tamaraws is former King Eagle Ritchie Ticzon who still owns the single game scoring high for the Blue Eagles at 38 points against the Green Archers. Ritchie came to be known as Mr. Velvet Touch because of his smooth touch and impeccable shooting. Looking from the bench he was giving instructions to two of his wards RR Garcia and rookie Terrence Romeo who both were instrumental in their come from behind 74 – 72 win against the second running Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles. Both players have improved their shooting tremendously this season.

Eric Salamat on a lay up

The game was tight and no team would lead by more than 7 points as both the Eagles and Tamaraws traded spurts and leads. Rookie Sensation Terrence Romeo carried on the fight for the Tamaraws as he took care of the outside shooting that the Tams sorely missed because main gunner RR Garcia was in foul trouble. In their first round encounter, Garcia torched the nets for 25 points but this time the Eagles got him covered which made him ride the bench more than on the court. In came Romeo who has got 13 games experience and is now ready for the big time and he did not disappoint the Tams as he scored 15 points on 3 of 3 shooting from beyond the arc. He took care of the outside shooting while Riel Cervantes and Aldrech Ramos took care of the inside scoring.

Kirk Long on the fastbreak

The Blue Eagles were already up 72 - 66 after Eric Salamat drained a three pointer with 3:25 to go. A lead like that is enough cushion to celebrate as the Eagles loyalists sensed a win and began to celebrate as they set their eyes on another final four encounter with the DLSU Archers. Unfortunately, the Tamaraws uncorked their own final run, an 8 – 0 bomb that the Blue Eagles failed to address. Cervantes and Romeo each scored clutch baskets to narrow the gap to two points. The most telling blow came when RR Garcia circled the three point area and let loose a shot that swished the basket and sent the FEU gallery in a frenzy. He scored only 8 points but he sank the most important bucket, the go ahead basket. The Eagles mapped out good plays but failed to convert.

Juami Tiongson drains a trey

The Eagles have only themselves to blame as they shot 11 of 21 from the free throw area. Three more conversions would have altered the game’s outcome. On the other hand, the Tamaraws were a whopping 8 of 11 from three point area a whopping 72.7% as Romeo and Paul Sanga each sank three treys while RR added two. They have only Mr. Velvet touch to thank for their impeccable shooting. This is just the last day of the elimination round and both teams played their hearts out. Wait till both teams square it out in the finals.

Justin Chua towers over the others

The Scores:
FEU 74 – Romeo 15, Ramos 15, Cervantes 14, Sanga 11, Garcia 8, Bringas 6, Cawaling 4, Noundou 1, Mendoza 0, Exciminiano 0.

ADMU 72 – Buenafe 14, Salva 13, Salamat 12, Chua 11, Long 8, Monfort 6, Tiongson 5, Golla 2, Escueta 1, Dela Cruz 0, Austria 0.

Quarter scores: 16-17, 32-33, 54-50, 74-72.

Nico Salva scores