The FEU Tamaraws will be shooting for the first Finals berth as they will face the DLSU Green Archers, Thursday, Sept. 16 at the Araneta Coliseum.

By: Geoff Latayan

Of the two losses that the Far Eastern University Tamaraws had for this season, the loss they had against Final Four rival De La Salle University Green Archers was the most lopsided.

The Tamaraws will have vengeance in their minds Thursday afternoon as they will go for the finals berth against surprise Final Four competitor Green Archers, 4:00 PM at the Araneta Coliseum.

The 12-2 Tamaraws, who enjoy a twice to beat incentive against the 8-6 Green Archers, had a hard time fending off La Salle this season. In their first round encounter, it took some crucial gems and lapses and two overtimes for FEU to outlast DLSU, 84-80.

In the second round though, La Salle shut down FEU’s vaunted offense and leading scorer RR Garcia in the fourth quarter to cruise to an 80-66 romp.

FEU will rely on the offensive power that they had all season long with resident hitter Garcia leading the charge. Garcia, the newly-adjudged Season 73 MVP, will be supported by Rookie of the Year Terrence Romeo, big men Reil Cervantes and Aldrech Ramos and off the bench producers Pipo Noundou, JR Cawaling, Ton Bringas and Paul Sanga.

On the other side, DLSU will count in on their vaunted traps and tenacious defense to fuel their offense.

The Green Archers, the only team that does not have a double figure average scorer, will count on fourth year team captain Simon Atkins, who exploded for 19 points in their last game against FEU and a bunch of rookies, sophomores and juniors, who are capable of exploding given the chance to contribute.

If FEU wins, they will automatically gain the finals seat but if La Salle wins, they will force a rubber match on Tuesday, Sept. 21.