THE FAR Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws played a masterful game on both ends of the floor to upset the top-seeded Ateneo Blue Eagles, 67-80, in their University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Final Four match-up held in the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
With the win, FEU forces a do-or-die game with the Blue Eagles on Wednesday, 4PM at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Tamaraws’ offense clicked for a full 40 minutes, as they shot 49.2% from the field and drilled 8/19 three-point attempts. On the other end, FEU’s defense limited Ateneo to just 36.6% shooting from the field, holding the Blue Eagles to a season-low 67 points.
Graduating Tamaraw Ron Dennison extended his UAAP career and led the Tamaraws with 17 points, eight boards, and two steals. Former Blue Eagles Arvin Tolentino and Hubert Cani each scored in double figures with 13 and 11, respectively, while Richard Escoto added nine points and seven boards.
Thirdy Ravena paced the Blue Eagles with 17 points and six boards. He was supported by Mike Nieto, who came off the bench and provided a big spark, drilling a trio of triples to finish with 13 markers. His brother Matt was the only other player in double figures with 11 points.
Both teams began the game with hot shooting from the three-point line. Ravena and Vince Tolentino each drained one from deep, while FEU countered with a corner triple from Jojo Trinidad. The two squads traded baskets as the quarter progressed, with neither squad gaining a significant advantage. Iñigo sank a pair of triples in the final two minutes of the period to give FEU a six-point lead, 15-21, heading into the second.
Hubert Cani knocked down a triple to begin the second, continuing FEU’s stellar shooting from beyond the arc. The Blue Eagles responded with a barrage of threes from the other end of the court. Jolo Mendoza and Tyler Tio each hit one each, while Mike Nieto drained a pair, giving Ateneo a one-point advantage, 27-26. A pair of charities by Arvin Tolentino gave FEU a slim advantage, 38-35, at the half.
Anton Asistio and Dennison traded triples to begin the third quarter. Midway through the period, Dennison began to take control of the game. The FEU forward’s third three and layup highlighted a 9-0 run that gave his team a double-digit cushion, 40-52. The Tamaraws continued to pour in the baskets as the period progressed. Isaac Go ended the quarter with an inside shot, cutting the Blue Eagles’ deficit to 11 points, 48-59.
Mike Nieto and Ravena combined for a 6-0 run to begin the final period, but Prince Orizu responded by completing an and-1 opportunity. FEU rebuilt their double-digit midway through the period after Richard Escoto’s bonus free throw. Cani’s last-ditch triple from distance gave FEU a 17-point lead (58-75) late in the match, sealing the victory for the Tamaraws.
After the match, Coach Tab Baldwin chalked up the loss to their the Tamaraws’ stellar performance, combined with his team’s shooting woes.
“FEU played really well. They had a good game plan,” he explained. “We shot the ball just abysmal. We had open shots–particularly in the first half when we didn’t hit them. Our confidence went down and we hate to see that. With young kids, we don’t ever want to see their confidence erode.”
Quarter Scores (Ateneo-FEU):
15-21, 35-38, 48-58, 67-80
Box score:
Ateneo (67): Ravena – 17, Nieto Mi. – 13, Nieto Ma. – 11, Go – 9, Tolentino – 5, Mendoza – 4, Asistio – 3, Tio – 3, Verano – 2
FEU (80): Dennison – 17, Tolentino – 13, Cani – 11, Orizu – 10, Escoto – 9, Inigo – 8, Trinidad – 5, Parker – 4, Ebona -3
