FAR EASTERN University needed another clutch performance from RR Garcia to escape with a second straight nail-biter.
Garcia knocked in seven of his team’s last 12 points as the Tamaraws rallied to nip the National U Bulldogs, 76-72, and grab the solo lead in the 73rd UAAP men’s basketball competition Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Tamaraws recovered from six points down, 64-70, in the last four minutes with Garcia drilling five points in the key run, before sinking two buffer free throws, 75-72, with 15.1 seconds left.
Reil Cervantes topscored with 20 points for the Tamaraws, while Garcia finished with 18 exactly a week after starring with 25 points in their narrow 72-69 win over Ateneo.
“As I’ve said, there will be no easy games for us,” said FEU coach Glenn Capacio. “Everyone’s saying we’re the No. 1 team, but all the teams have improved.”
In the second game, Adamson forged a pivotal 12-0 spurt in the final stretch to dump the University of the Philippines, 66-59, for its second win in three games.
Eric Camson buried a team-high 16 points and guard Jerick Cañada also stepped up with 14 markers, including five straight points in the comeback that gave the Falcons a 61-51 advantage heading into the final minute.
“We got some lucky breaks, but with way things are going, it’s really an open race for the Final Four,” said Adamson coach Leo Austria.
The Bulldogs absorbed their second loss in three games, while the Maroons remained winless in two outings.
The Tamaraws held NU’s African rookie Emmanuel Mbe to just eight points and seven rebounds after posting a double-double in his last outing.
Mbe, a 6-foot-5 recruit from Cameroon, dominated the post with 21 points and 19 rebounds in the Bulldogs’ upset of La Salle, 59-55, last Thursday.
“We were successful in stopping their big men, but their wingmen made it difficult for us,” said Capacio. “Their wingmen improved a lot.”
Kokoy Hermosisima, who shot 15 of his game-high 23 points from three-point range, kept the Bulldogs in fighting form throughout the game.
Hermosisima scored a putback off Melvin Baloran’s two missed free throws that trimmed FEU’s lead to just a point, 73-72, with 59 seconds left.
In juniors action, back-to-back champion Ateneo crushed the University of the East, 90-61, to grab a share of the lead at 2-0 yesterday at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Kiefer Ravena pumped in 22 points on top of seven steals and four assists, while Von Pessumal added 14 points and four boards for the Blue Eaglets.
Jonel Parungao shot 16 markers and Roque Estoce had 11 points and 12 assists as the Bullpups also clinched their second straight victory with a 67-65 nipping of the Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs.
The scores:
First Game
FEU 76—Cervantes 20, Garcia 18, Romeo 11, Ramos 6, Cawaling 5, Bringas 4, Sanga 4, Knuttel 4, Noundou 2, Exciminiano 2, Mendoza 0, Cruz 0.
NU 72—Hermosisima 23, Khobuntin 14, Terso 11, Mbe 8, Baloran 8, Ponferrada 5, Magat 2, Javillonar 1, Ludovice 0, tungcul 0, Sing 0.
Quarters: 21-14, 37-36, 54-56, 76-72
Second Game
ADAMSON 66—Camson 16, Cañada 14, Nuyles 10, Lozada 8, Colina 5, Alvarez 5, Stinnett 2, Manyara 2, Galinato 2, Cabrera 2.
UP 59—Co 17, Silungan 15, Reyes Ma. 10, Padilla 6, Lopez 5, Pascual 2, Sison 2, Maniego 2, Saret 0, Manuel 0, Reyes Mi. 0, Juruena 0, Gomez 0.
Quarters: 13-8, 33-27, 44-44, 66-59
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