Ericka Alcantara | FCF

Wounded, undermanned, and exhausted, University of Santo Tomas kept their Final Four dreams alive by escaping the beleaguered Far Eastern University, 79-78, in double overtime in the first game of Sunday’s UAAP men’s basketball doubleheader at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Down by as much as 12 early in the third quarter, the Tigers were saved by three well-executed baskets–a quick three by Aljon Mariano to end the fourth quarter, a spot-up three by Clark Bautista to end overtime, and curl-and-drive by Karim Abdul to end the game.

“Ganun ang design ng mga plays namin, more of shooter’s play,” said UST head coach Pido Jarencio after the game. “Pag ‘di uubra ang mga shooters, seal si Karim sa ilalim at kuha ng open spot. The shooters did their job and Karim did the finishing touches.”

“It’s all about heart and will to win,” commented Abdul. “When I look at myself, I want to change and help the team… I believe we can go back to second place and win the championship after the eliminations.”

It was a lethargic start for the Tigers, who were holding a 5-5 card before the game. Shooting a paltry 23.5 percent from the field in the first half, the Tamaraws easily surged to double-digit leads through sensational individual plays from leading MVP candidate Terrence Romeo.

The Tigers then built its first momentum of the game after FEU center Anthony Hargrove committed an unsportsmanlike foul after hitting Abdul with a forearm during a loose ball in the third quarter.

Down 25-37, the Tigers then launched an 8-0 run to bring the Tigers within striking distance. Abdul then showed his strength inside, scoring nine points in the quarter and a fastbreak layup by second stringer Kim Lo put the Tigers in the lead in the 52 second mark of the third quarter but an RR Garcia jumper brought the lead back to the Tamaraws.

It was a see-saw battle in the fourth canto until Romeo scored four straight points in the last minute off a shake-and-bake layup and two free throws to put the Tamaraws ahead, 62-59.

With 7.4 seconds left in the quarter, Mariano swished a quick three from left side off a Clark Bautista inbound pass to tie the game at 62-62. The game went to overtime as Lo forced Romeo to dribble the clock out.

It was a free throw shooting contest in the first overtime as the Tigers lost Romeo defender Lo and starting point guard Eduardo Daquioag due to fouls. After the departure of the two, Tamaraw shooted Gryann Mendoza sank an open trey to put the Tamaraws ahead, 70-67.

The Tigers rebounded from their foul troubles after forcing two turnovers against the Tamaraws–a travelling violation on Gryann Mendoza and backing violation on Romeo.

Still down by three and with 25 seconds left, Bautista converted a trey from the same spot where Mariano shot the first game-saving trey after a feed-and-pick from Kevin Ferrer to tie the game at 70.

With 10.9 seconds left, Romeo missed a contested three-pointer but guard Mike Tolomia converted a putback at the buzzer for a potential game-winner but was later nullified after replays showed that the ball was still on his fingertips at 0.0 seconds.

In the second overtime, the Tamaraws surged to an early 76-72 lead with three inside baskets from Mac Belo.

As FEU’s power forward did his thing, UST launched a 7-0 run off a layup by Abdul, a jumper by Mariano, and a curl-and-drive by Abdul for a three-point play.

Down 79-76, Tolomia converted on a quick two off a dribble drive with a full shotclock left to trim the lead, 78-79.

In the ensuing play, Bautista succumbed to a quick triple team and with FEU gaining possession, Abdul blocked Belo’s three-pointer with three seconds left as the Tigers marched to its sixth win, climbing to fifth place.

Abdul led the Tigers with 24 points and 12 rebounds with Mariano adding 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Ferrer with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists.

The Tamaraws, who have dropped to second place after a 7-0 first round card, were led by Romeo with 19 points and six assists off a seven-of-25 field goal shooting. Belo added 15 points and 14 rebounds for the Tamaraws (8-4).