by Waylon Galvez
Games Wednesday (Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City)
2 p.m. – Ateneo vs UP
4 p.m. – UP vs De La Salle
Far Eastern University solidified its Final Four bid with a 79-74 victory over National University yesterday in the 81st UAAP basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ken Tiffin and LJ Gonzales came through with big baskets for FEU after the Bulldogs came to within, 71-65, with six minutes left.
A fastbreak dunk by Tuffin capped a 7-0 run and restored a 78-65 lead with 5:13 left.
The last time NU threatened was when rookie guard Dave Ildefonso buried a jump shot to make it 78-71 with 1:46 to go, but FEU held on with defensive stops to claim an important victory.
FEU’s win forced a tie again with University of the Philippines for fourth and fifth places with similar 7-6 slates with both teams still playing their final matches.
UP meets De La Salle on Wednesday while FEU faces Adamson on Sunday in what make-or-break matches.
In case of ties, a playoff game will be played to determine the semifinalist.
“We are still in the hunt,” said FEU mentor Olsen Racela. “We still need one more win. Hopefully, we’re starting to gain that momentum, hopefully we can get that one more win.”
“So far, these boys are playing really well the past two games. Hopefully, we can sustain that against Adamson. We are going all out for the win. Whatever happens on the other games, we are going for that win,” added Racela.
Arvin Tolentino led the Tams with 16 points, Tuffin finished with 15 points, and Nigerian center Prince Orizu had six points and five rebounds in nine minutes of action in his return after he missed three games due to a sprained right ankle in a game against Ateneo last October 20.
NU guard John Clemente scored a career-best 38 points, the highest output for any player this season surpassing University of the East ace gunner Alvin Pasaol’s 36-point explosion versus Adamson last Sept. 19.
It was also the most by a Bulldog player since Jeff Napa, now the team’s assistant coach, dropped 43 points on Aug. 22, 2002. Clemente’s efforts, however, were not enough as NU fell to 3-10.
The scores:
FEU 79 – Tolentino 16, Tuffin 15, Gonzales 9, Stockton 7, Parker 6, Iñigo 6, Orizu 6, Bienes 5, Eboña 4, Comboy 3, Bayquin 2, Cani 0, Escoto 0.
NU 74 – Clemente 38, Ildefonso D 12, Diputado 4, Yu 4, Rike 2, Aquino 2, Tibayan 2, Galinato 2, Gallego 2, Salim 2, Gaye 2, Ildefonso S. 1, Malonzo 1, Joson 0, Sinclair 0.
Quarters: 19-18; 44-28; 69-61; 79-74.
