The FEU Tamaraws won another close match, edging the previously unbeaten La Salle Green Archers, 48-46. In their first game, FEU won by a single point against the UST Growling Tigers, 73-72.
La Salle had the benefit of a friendly schedule in posting their 2-0 slate, with matches against UP and UE, but had to contend with the runner-up of last year's UAAP Men's Basketball Finals (which Ateneo won, natch) in their third game.
FEU led after the first quarter, 15-11, but Tamaraws center Tony Hargrove, Jr. got into foul trouble, and La Salle responded by pounding the ball inside. Norbert Torres and Yutien Andrada frolicked in the shaded area, giving the Green Archers the lead at halftime, 26-23.
After scoring only eight points in the second quarter, FEU turned the tables on DLSU by limiting the Green Archers to eight points in the third quarter. Hargrove came back to the game saddled with three fouls, but that didn't stop him from energizing the FEU defense with three blocks in the third quarter, and helping FEU to a 35-34 lead going to the fourth quarter.
It was a see-saw affair in the fourth quarter, and the Mall of Asia Arena crowd was into every play, cheering or booing the players and referees. The emotional investment is what makes college basketball great.
La Salle had a 10-6 run in the fourth quarter to give them the lead, 44-41, with 5:23 remaining. After several missed plays from both teams, FEU's Terrence Romeo converted a free throw (getting fouled after over dribbling and ball hogging—is he the new Lester Alvarez?) to make it 44-42, with La Salle still ahead, 2:41 remaining.
FEU big men CB Cruz and Hargrove combined for three points, but DLSU's Torres made two free throws with 1:27 remaining, to give the Archers the lead, 46-45, and FEU in the penalty.
Former league MVP RR Garcia and CM Tolomia then provided another FEU three-point cluster to give the lead back to the Tamaraws, 48-46, with 47.6 seconds remaining. On the ensuing plays, DLSU rookie Jeron Teng missed a shot, and Andrada fouled former Archer Arvie Bringas, who failed to hit a free throw even after kissing the ball on his second attempt.
DLSU brought up the ball with 12.8 seconds remaining, but La Salle power forward Mark Mendoza fumbled the ball, and teammate Almond Vosotros picked up the ball to heave a last-second three-point shot that missed, allowing FEU to survive, 48-46.
Former rookie of the year Terrence Romeo led all scorers with ten points.
Notes:
- FEU Coach Bert Flores made good offensive and defensive lineup changes in the fourth quarter, shuffling a smoother scoring unit and a rougher defensive five. We can't argue with the result, and FEU is now 2-0.
- DLSU guards LA Revilla (13 ppg) and LA Dela Paz (6.5 ppg) did not play.
FEU - DLSU Scores:
FEU (48) - Romeo 10, Tolomia 7, Hargrove 7, Pogoy 6, Garcia 6, Bringas A. 5, Cruz 4, Belo 3, Mendoza 0, Escoto 0, Bringas M. 0
DLSU (46) - Andrada 8, Vosotros 8, Mendoza 8, Torres N. 8, Teng 6, Tallo 4, Opstal 2, Tampus 2, Torres T. 0, Webb 0, Manguera 0
Quarters: 15-11, 23-26, 35-34, 48-46
2nd Game (4pm) - Ateneo vs NU
After losing to the UST Growling Tigers by one point, the Ateneo Blue Eagles served a beating, winning over the National University Bulldogs by 24 points, 89-65.
The Blue Eagles led by a modest eleven points after the first quarter, 28-17, but their big men dominated the Bulldogs on both ends of the floor in the second quarter, ending the half up by 21 points, 55-34. Ateneo's Nico Salva and Greg Slaughter combined for 23 points in the first half, while NU's Emmanuel Mbe and Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. put together 22 points.
The third quarter wasn't much different, with NU's Parks and Mbe still dominating the ball, but trimming down the lead by only three points. Ateneo led by eighteen points, 72-54, entering the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Parks fouled out with 4:14 remaining, and the outcome was never in doubt, as Ateneo gave NU a taste of getting blown out, winning the game, 89-65. Parks led all scorers with 22 points.
Notes:
- During the third quarter, Ateneo sophomore point guard JN Elorde, at 5'9", twice frustrated the 6'4" league MVP Parks from scoring on drives by simply standing in the way. On his next drive, Parks scored over the 7'0" Slaughter, and even got a foul. Go figure.
- NU won via a blowout in their first game, beating UE by 35 points, 90-55.
Ateneo - Nu Scores:
ADMU 89: Salva 21, Ravena 17, Slaughter 14, Chua 12, Gonzaga 9, Tiongson 8, Elorde 3, Buenafe 3, Erram 2, Porter 0, Pessumal 0, Capacio 0
NU 65: Parks 22, Mbe 14, Villamor 10, Ignacio 6, Rono 5, De Guzman 2, Betayene 2, Alolino 2, Khobuntin 1, Javillonar 1, Rosario 0, Neypes 0, Labing-isa 0
Quarter scoring: 28-17, 55-34, 72-54, 89-65
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