The Far Eastern University Tamaraws is seriously gunning for a back-to-back championship title at this year’s Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Invitational Cup after dismantling the Adamson Falcons, 75-69 (OT) in today’s semi-final match at the Arena in San Juan.
In the early quarters, team veteran Reil Cervantes took advantage of the Falcons’ hapless defense by scoring in double digits with some help from sophomore player Ryan Roose Garcia who blasted off with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and played as the usual go-to guy for the Tams.
Pipo Noundou provided the 6th deadlock of the ballgame at 63 all with 49 seconds to go in the fourth quarter but FEU missed the last shot to steal away the game thus extending it to overtime. In the overtime though the Tamaraws outscored the Falcons, 12-6. Ten points of which came from RR Garcia. Quarter scores: 17-11, 33-31, 44-50, 63-63, 75-69
The Tamaraws will be facing the NCAA Champion San Sebastian Stags in the Finals which is set on June 13 at the Arena, Free Admission.
Insights: During last year’s finals, the Tamaraws survived a furious chase by erstwhile defending champion University of the East Warriors, 84-78 with big help from Smart Gilas mainstays JR Cawaling and Mark Barroca and then rookie RR Garcia, who was named as MVP of the tournament.
