The FEU Tamaraws continued their winning streak in the UAAP Men’s Basketball Season 78, beating the ADMU Blue Eagles, 66-61, in their match held last October 11 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The game was a close fight with only two-point differences in the scores during the first three quarters. Things grew in intensity towards the last three minutes of the fourth quarter when Ateneo’s Kiefer Ravena made two points to lessen FEU’s lead to only three, 59 to 56.

However, the Tamaraws continued their rally in spite of the Blue Eagles’ defense. By the time there were only less than 43 seconds left, FEU had a slightly comfortable five-point lead, 64 to 59.

Ravena’s two-point basket cut down FEU’s lead to only three, 64 to 61. However, Russel Escoto and Roger Pogoy contributed one point each from the free throw line, making the score 66 to 61 with only 12 seconds left and FEU in possession. The Tamaraws melted the clock and emerged with their seventh win of the season.

The Tamaraws remain at the top of the standings with a 7-win, 1-loss card.

Mac Belo was the top scorer for FEU with 12 points. Other top scorers for FEU were Escoto (10 points), Pogoy (10 points) and Mike Tolomia (8 points).

Kiefer Ravena was the top scorer for Ateneo with 15 points, followed by Adrian Wong with 14 and Von Pessumal with 8.

FEU Coach Nash Racela declared during the post-game press conference that today was not a walk in the park for his players. “It was a struggle defensively,” admitted Coach Nash. “Pinahirapan nila kami today,” he said of the Blue Eagles.

Penalty situations during the early part forced Coach Nash to revise previous plans. He fielded Mike Tolomia during the last few minutes and re-assigned Mark Belo to guard Ravena.

Coach Nash remarked candidly, “Natuto kami kay Coach Juno (Sauler ng La Salle) kasi ang pinagbantay niya kay Kiefer ay si Jeron (Teng).”

File photo by Martin San Diego