Tamaraws escape Blue Eagles to force do-or-die game
By Maxine Louise Lagman
19 November 2017
The Far Eastern University denied the Ateneo Blue Eagles a sure shot into the Finals as the Tamaraws forced a do-or-die game after grabbing an 80-67 win in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball Final Four on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We haven’t done anything yet,” said FEU coach Olsen Racela. “Ang nakuha lang namin is to take away the twice-to-beat advantage ng Ateneo. We’re really looking forward to our Wednesday’s game and see what we can do to try and stop them.”
The deciding game will be on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Tamaraws started strong, 21-15, but the Blue Eagles managed to claw their way up to cut the deficit to only three by the end of the first half, 35-38.
However, FEU did not back down as former Blue Eagle Hubert Cani capped off a 20-6 run with a layup, giving the Tamaraws a 58-44 lead late in the third quarter.
With less than three minutes left in the game, Cani once again stepped up for the FEU Tamaraws as he shot a booming triple and gave FEU its biggest lead in the game, 75-58.
“We were really confident going into the fourth quarter, that we will finish strong. ‘Yun ang sinabi ko sakanila, we have to start strong, sustain the momentum and finish strong,” added Racela.
Ron Dennison led the Tamaraws with 17 points, eight rebounds and two steals, while Arvin Tolentino, who was a former Rookie of the Year for Ateneo, had 13 markers in the win.
Cani chipped in 11 points for FEU, while Prince Orizu finished with 10 points and five rebounds.
Meanwhile, Thirdy Ravena topped Ateneo with 17 points, while Mike Nieto finished with 13 markers as the Blue Eagles were handed their second loss in the season.
