In the opening day of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League’s grueling three playing dates in four days, both top-seeded champions have fallen to their opponents who had to travel a long road to get to the Final Four.
Southwestern University caught the biggest fish of them all so far, pulling off a masterful 68-58 rout over UAAP champions De La Salle University in overtime. On the other hand, Luzon-Metro Manila qualifiers Far Eastern University downed NCAA champions San Beda College, 62-56.
Already without top guards RR Garcia and Terrence Romeo, who both opted to strut their wares in the professional ranks, FEU also missed the services of Mac Belo and head coach Nash Racela who lent their services to the national squad competing in the ongoing Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar.
Mike Tolomia carried the scoring cudgels with 23, including a 10-for-21 clip from the field and four assists. Carl Bryan Cruz added 11, while Achie Inigo and Anthony Hargrove each had eight apiece.
Breaking the four-time defending NCAA champions’ spirit was the Tamaraws’ intense defense that limited their scoring to less than 60 points — a goal that lead assistant coach Eric Gonzales kept in mind.
“Yung last instruction ni Coach Nash (Racela) is from start to finish, play 100 percent defense. Nung down kami nung first half, yun lang inemphasize namin. We need to play our game, not San Beda’s game,” said Gonzales, who took care of the squad in place of head coach Racela. “Team defense. Yun lang ang kailangan namin.”
Arthur de la Cruz posted 13 points and nine rebounds to lead the Red Lions in a losing effort.
The Cobras, who won the tournament’s Southern Islands leg over CESAFI champions University of Visayas, kept in check with their counterparts from Taft Avenue in the second half, scoring a pyrrhic victory in sending the game to overtime.
In the extra five minutes, Melvin Holper and Monbert Arong buried a trifecta of treys to put away the Green Archers for good.
Arong tallied 17 points and five rebounds to lead SWU, followed by ex-Green Archer Mac Tallo with 13 points, with six rebounds and six assists.
Jason Perkins had 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Green Archers.
