Tamaraws draws first blood in championship series against Bulldogs #UAAP77
By Yanzi Eco
October 4, 2014
The Far Eastern University Tamaraws draws first blood against the National University Bulldogs in their best-of-three series for this year’s UAAP championship. The Tamaraws showed their veteran edge over the Bulldogs in a 75-70 win earlier today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The first quarter turned out to be a rubber match with both teams going back at each other ending up with a close margin.
The next 10 minutes become a showdown with the Bulldogs starting up with a run to open the quarter led by their patented defense and Gelo Alolino getting back on his senses and made his presence felt by making his shots along with Troy Rosario who both led NU in scoring at the half. The Tamaraws came back with a run of their own spearheaded by Mike Tolomia leading the charge with his 9 points in the 2nd quarter alone.
Meanwhile, the Tamaraw continueds their dominance in the third quarter that gave them the opportunity to get their biggest lead of the game at 13 points. Veteran swingman Roger Pogoy started the onslaught for FEU with 10 points in the quarter. The Cebuano native has filled the void left by Mac Belo who found himself struggling from the field on his first finals game of his UAAP career.
FEU remained composed in the final quarter with the Tamaraws retaining their lead until Gelo Alolino once again exploded late in the quarter with his clutch plays showing his mental toughness and veteran smarts. The Bulldogs came close by as low as 2 points in the final minutes but the Tams remained composed with the leadership of court general Achie Inigo keeping their heads in the game.
FEU was led by Mike Tolomia who scored 15 points and 6 rebounds. Cebuano swingman Roger Pogoy and point guard Achie Inigo had 14 and 12 points respectively.
Cameroonian big man Alfred Aroga led all scores for NU with 17 points, Alolino with 14, and Jeth Rosario with 12. The trio has combined for 23 huge rebounds for the Bustillos-based squad.
Since 2010, this win is the Tamaraws’ first finals win after getting swept by Ateneo in two separate series in 2010 and 2011.
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The scores:
FEU 75 – Tolomia 15, Pogoy 14, Iñigo 12, Jose 8, Belo 8, Hargrove 8, Dennison 5, Tamsi 3, Cruz 2, Escoto 0
NU 70 – Aroga 17, Alolino 14, Rosario 12, Khobuntin 9, Celda 7, Alejandro 3, Betayene 3, Javelona 3, Diputado 2, Neypes 0, Perez 0
Quarterscores: 14-15, 35-38, 60-50, 75-70
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