MANILA – If Philippines’ Miss Universe candidate (4th runner up) Venus Raj had a “major major” blunder while answering the final question in the pageant last week, this past weekend, schools participating in the on-going UAAP Season 73 men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum had a major major upset over respective rivals halfway in the second round eliminations. Last Saturday, season host De La Salle University (DLSU) bounced back from a humiliating loss to Ateneo, by no less than defeating league leader, Far Eastern University (FEU) 80-66. Earlier, University of Santo Tomas’ fourth quarter run propelled a Tiger win over University of the Philippines, 68-66. UP is now only two losses away from yet another winless season. The following day, National University (NU) ended the miracle run by University of the East (UE), 69-68 at the height of UE’s desperate attempt to get a chance to compete in the elite final four round. Also that day, Ateneo defeated Adamson, 55-52 to claim the solo second spot in the standing thereby securing a semis slot.
As promised by La Salle head coach Dindo Pumaren, DLSU indeed rebounded from its setback to Ateneo, shaming top seeded FEU. La Salle team captain Simon Atkins shrugged off a nasty cut on his left eyebrow to fuel the second half breakaway for the Green Archers, who boosted their drive for the Final Four with their seventh win in 11 outings.
The semis-bound Tams dropped to 9-2 win loss card but remained on top of the heap, ahead of Ateneo (9-3), Adamson (8-4), and La Salle (7-4)
FEU was in control for first three quarters, even going ahead 52-44 towards the end of the third before La Salle closed the period with a 10-5 run. La Salle then became unstoppable in the last canto. FEU’s RR Garcia, season 73 MVP top contender had 18 points in the game but went surprisingly scoreless in the fourth quarter. “The boys showed their character after that nightmare against Ateneo,” Pumaren said, referring to their 57-74 setback to their arch-rivals. “I saw their A-game today and all the boys played well.” The key, according to Pumaren, was the rebound department, where La Salle had a 19-9 edge in the offensive board and a 45-32 margin overall.
Atkins suffering a cut, came back revitalized in the final half, pumping in 14 points, including 10 in a 20-8 windup. “We were really challenged by coach who told us that if we want to bounce back from that loss to Ateneo, we can bounce back strong by beating FEU, the No. 1 team in the UAAP.”, said Atkins who is the current UAAP Press Corps Player of the Week.
Atkins was supported by Luigi dela Paz (12), Jarelan Tampos (10) and Yutien Andrada (9). FEU drew 18 points from Garcia, 14 from Aldrech Ramos and 11 from Terrence Romeo.
In Sunday’s double-header, the Red Warriors hit the dead end after losing to a more composed NU Bulldogs. UE is set to break their eight-year final four streak. Following the demise of UE, final four and twice-to-beat aspirant Adamson was nipped by defending champion Ateneo as the Eagles kept its mastery over Falcons, to finally snare the no. 2 spot and the outright Final Four berth.
