Tams streak to third straight win

Challenged to play to their full potential, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws showed their might. The Tamaraws pounded on hapless National University (NU) Bulldogs, 82-57, for their third straight win during Saturday’s action in the 72nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball at the Philsports Arena.

After a near loss to Adamson in their last game, the Tamaraws came out smoking right from the tip-off. Back-to-back baskets by Cameroonian rookie Pipo Noundou ignited a 6-0 opening blast by the Tamaraws. Another tactical adjustment by FEU Coach Glenn Capacio paid off in this match. JR Cawaling came off the bench for the first time and reeled in 12 of his 14 points in the opening period where the Tamaraws erected a commanding 22-12 lead. The Bulldogs failed to cut down FEU’s lead to single-digit the rest of the way. “They’s small but they are quicker than us. Kaya in-adjust ko ang starting five ko to negate their advantage,” FEU coach Glenn Capacio explained.

FEU drew big games from its starting backcourt as rookie RR Garcia and Andy Barroca combined for 33 points. Garcia notched a career-high 20 points, 10 coming off in the payoff period where the Bulldogs threatened to rally. Garcia, a transferee from Southern City Colleges, also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out five assists.
Capacio was all praised on his 19-year old prized rookie from Zamboanga City. “Ito ang laro ni RR (Garcia) na nakita ko during the summer. Sana magtuloy-tuloy na,” said Capacio on his rookie guard, who was named MVP in FEU’s title romp at the FilOil Flying V Cup last summer. “Masaya ako dahil nakita ko na ang totoong potensyal ng team na ‘to. Magandang preparation ito against the tougher teams,” Capacio added. True enough, the Tamaraws shared the wealth as they registered 20 assists that resulted in a 54.1 percent shooting clip. Rookies Joseph Hermosisima and Ajeet Singh led the Bulldogs, who lost their third straight, with 15 and 13 points, respectively. In the following game UST eked out a 92-88 win over the UE Red Warriors. Currently, FEU and UST are tied in the second spot of the standings, Ateneo leads, UE on the fourth.

FEU 82 – Garcia 20, Cawaling 14, Barroca 13, Noundou 10, Ramos 8, Sanga 6, Pereabras 2, Manalo 2, Exciminiano 2, Eguilos 2, Cervantes 2, Tanuan 1, Viluan 0, Knuttel 0, Guerrero 0, Caluag 0.

NU 57 – Hermosisima 15, Singh 13, Cabaluna 7 Baloran 7, Ponferrada 5, Batac 4, Roy 3, Terso 2, Malanday 1, Tungcol 0, Manito 0, Luy 0, Donahue 0.

Quarters: 22-12, 42-25, 61-43, 82-57.

By: Alder T. Almo