Paul Sanga sparked FEU’s comeback, scoring all of his 4 points in the 2nd overtime
League leader Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws kept its record unscathed (5-0) after a pulsating victory over season host De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers in double overtime, 84-80 on Thursday in the 73rd UAAP men’s basketball game at the Araneta Coliseum.
It was sophomore player RR Garcia and rookie Carl Cruz who took over the scoring chores for FEU, posting 18 and 16 points, respectively. Cruz had four rebounds, three blocks, and one steal
Garcia completed FEU’s crucial comeback with a fast break lay-up off a steal to tie the game at 68-all with 9.2 seconds left.With the veterans’ help , the Tamaraws inched ahead in the first overtime pushing the score to 74-72 in the 2-minute mark but the Archers recovered at the stripes to force another deadlock.
The Tamaraws had a chance to seal the game right in the first extension but rookie Terrence Romeo missed a hurried shot in the closing seconds, paving the way for another extra 5 minutes.
In the 2nd overtime, veteran Paul Sanga started Tamaraws’ big finish with a 4-point swing as FEU opened a 78-74 lead.
Cameroonian Pipo Noundou’s 3-point play and Garcia’s bank shot extended FEU’s lead to seven, 83-76, with 1:03 left.
The young nucleus of the Archers never recovered as fatigue and lack of experience caught up with them.
Garcia, who was a non-factor in the first 3 periods, exploded for 11 of his team-high 18 points in the 4th and overtime periods. Noundou and Reil Cervantes added 14 and 12 points, respectively, for the Tamaraws, who are all alone on top with a 5-0 mark.
“Ito ang story ng team namin. Hindi lang kami umaasa sa iisang player,” said FEU coach Glenn Capacio, who rued the game’s officiating.
FEU led 17-9 early in the game before La Salle’s vaunted pressure defense took over as the Archers grabbed the lead, 27-23, which they never gave up until the overtime.
“In fairness to La Salle, maganda rin naman talaga ang depensa nila. Pero minsan, grabe ang pressure nila at hindi natatawagan. Buti na lang sa fourth period at sa overtime, umayos naman ang officiating. May let go sa amin, may let go sa kanila, yun okay lang. Sayang kasi ang ganda ng liga natin,” Capacio said.
Full video of FEU – La Salle game embedded on the playlist below
Runtime: 2 hours and 4 minutes
Scores:
FEU 84 – Garcia 18, Cruz 16, Noundou 14, Cervantes 12, Ramos 5, Bringas 4, Sanga 4, Exciminiano 4, Cawaling 4, Romeo 3, Mendoza 0, Knuttel 0.
DLSU 80 – Webb 17, Marata 16, Andrada 13, Villanueva 11, Tolentino 7, Atkins 5, Paredes 4, Dela Paz 4, Mendoza 3, Vosotros 0, Tampus 0, Ferdinand 0.
Quarters: 17-14, 30-38, 51-53, 68-all reg., 74-all 1OT, 84-80 2OT.
with report from UAAP sports
