FORTY minutes were not enough for Far Eastern University to defend their spotless record, but their deep bench and maturity enabled them to survive the defense-driven and upset-conscious De La Salle University

The Tamaraws came alive in the final stretch of their double-overtime game against the Green Archers, 84-80, to claim their fifth straight win in UAAP Season 73 at the Araneta Coliseum last Thursday, July 29.

Starting guard RR Garcia and little-known rookie Carl Cruz shone for the Tamaraws with 18 and 16 points, respectively. Cruz, who also had four rebounds, three blocks, and one steal, came off the bench but delivered for FEU when it mattered.

“During the first half, matamlay and depensa namin,” said Cruz. “Kaya mas nag-focus kami sa defense nung second half, tinaasan naming yung intensity,” he added.

The Tamaraws started off strong as usual, posting a 6-0 lead at the onset courtesy of three-point plays from Pipo Noundou and Aldrech Ramos. But the Archers, riding high on momentum after beating archrival Ateneo de Manila last weekend, had no plans of making things easy for FEU.

Joshua Webb scored seven points in the second quarter and the Archers continued to dominate the game in the third period, leading by as much as nine points, 44-35. But back-to-back baskets by Cruz put the Tamaraws within earshot at the two-minute mark, 49-48.

La Salle was again up by seven points with a little less than five minutes remaining in the ball game, 68-61, and was looking like the first team to hand the Tamaraws a loss this season. But Garcia, JR Cawaling and Terrence Romeo teamed up for FEU, sending the game into overtime. Garcia’s crucial steal with 9.2 ticks remaining enabled the Tamaraws to tie the match at 68-apiece.

“[We had a hard time] because of the officiating,” remarked FEU head coach Glenn Capacio. He added that because there were some bad calls, the Tamaraws had to adjust, and in the process, lost their focus on their system.

The Green Archers had a chance to win the game during the first overtime period from the free throw line, but were not able to convert.

Paul Sanga scored five points at the start of the second extra session, giving the Tamaraws breathing room, 78-74. Missed shots from La Salle rookie Jarelan Tampus allowed the Tamaraws to establish an even bigger lead, via a three point play from Noundou and an outside shot from Garcia, 83-76 with a minute remaining.

“Hindi isa lang ang FEU,” noted Capacio, adding that all of his players can deliver when asked to. But even if he admitted to his players’ talents, he was quick to say that they still have a long way to go.

“We may be strong on paper, pero kailangan pa naming mapatunayan na deserving kami sa number one,” he remarked.

FEU team captain Jens Knuttel agreed, saying “Never kami dapat maging kuntento, because 5-0 can easily be 0-5, so we should always be at our best.”

Webb and Joseph Marata led the Archers with 18 and 16 points respectively. W1

The 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, de la Paz 4, Mendoza 3, Vosotros 0, Tampus 0, Ferdinand 0.

Quarter scoring: 17-14, 30-38, 51-53, 68-68, 74-74, 84-80.

Source: inboundpass.com