Eight different players scored at least seven points to lift the FEU Tamaraws past the AdU Soaring Falcons, 82-69, earlier today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The win was FEU’s ninth consecutive and improved their win-loss card to a league-best 10-1 this season with three games left to play.
Adamson trailed for most of the game, with FEU’s lead reaching a high of 17 points, but they came within four at the halfway mark of the fourth quarter. FEU, however, showed poise and proceeded to pull away once more to seal the game.
IN PHOTOS: FEU cruises past Adamson for 9th straight win
Despite the rather easy win, the Tamaraws were not content. After the match, starting forward Russel Escoto, who led the team with 13 points and four rebounds, shared, “We’re happy, but not satisfied. Medyo kulang yung pagiging aggressive ng team.”
Fellow starter Raymar Jose tallied 12 points and seven rebounds while Mac Belo came off the bench to score 10, but he made just two out of ten field goal attempts. Mike Tolomia and Roger Pogoy scored nine apiece while the trio of Monbert Arong, Achie Inigo, and Prince Orizu scored seven each.
Jerome Garcia and Joseph Nalos led Adamson with 16 and 15 points, respectively. Frederick Tungcab and Kristian Bernardo added 10 points apiece.
Noticeably out of rhythm was star center Pape Sarr who had just four points on one-of-six shooting and eight rebounds. FEU head coach Nash Racela remarked after the game that containing Sarr was a big part of their game plan and that he was satisfied with his team’s performance against him.
Racela also commended his players’ unselfishness, saying, “Today we were making the extra passes unlike the previous games.” The Tamaraws finished with 21 assists compared to just 10 for the Soaring Falcons. They were also superior down low, collecting 54 rebounds compared to Adamson’s 45.
IN PHOTOS: FEU cruises past Adamson for 9th straight win
The scores:
FEU 82: Escoto Ru. 13, Jose 12, Belo 10, Tolomia 9, Pogoy 9, Arong 7, Inigo 7, Orizu 7, Escoto Ri. 4, Trinidad 2, Holmqvist K. 2, Tamsi 0, Comboy 0, Dennison 0, Holmqvist S. 0, Ebona 0
AdU 69: Garcia J. 16, Nalos 15, Tungcab 10, Bernardo 10, Polican 6, Sarr 4, Villanueva 3, Ochea 2, Capote 2, Garcia 1, Margallo 0, Camacho 0, Fernandez 0, Escalambre 0
Quarter Scores: 23-18, 43-33, 66-50, 82-69
