UE, NU upset semis members

Games Sunday

Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
2 p.m. – UP vs FEU
4 p.m. - Ateneo vs UST

Team Standings

FEU - 10-2*
Ateneo - 9-3
Adamson - 8-5
La Salle - 8-5
NU - 6-7
UE - 5-8
UST - 4-8
UP - 0-12

*clinched twice-to-beat bonus

FAR Eastern University (FEU) gained the twice-to-beat bonus for the semifinal phase of the 73rd University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) literally without sweat, thanks to upset wins of University of the East (UE) and National University (NU).

UE proved it can prey on Final Four member De La Salle University (DLSU) one last time as the Red Warriors avenged their first round loss to the Green Archers last July 18, 63-82, by turning the tables, 80-74.

Post your reaction to the Manila hostage crisis

In the other contest, NU pulled the rug from Adamson, 62-59, at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

It was a good riddance as well as emphatic victory for second year coach Lawrence Chongson, whose wards missed the Final Four bus for the first time since 2001 after surrendering to NU last week.

“It’s more than just consolation for us. We want to win our remaining games so that we will gain self-respect. We have to salvage whatever we can salvage like the pride of our players and the support of our community. We gain nothing by not winning our games,” he told reporters.

UE improved with a 5-8 (win-loss) slate while La Salle tied Adamson for an 8-5 card.

Graduating players Paul Lee and veteran guard Raphy Reyes took charge in dismantling La Salle, which dropped a vital match that would help them get a share of the twice-to-beat bonus.

Lee sparked the fourth quarter rally for UE after dropping a trey with 6:14 left to move ahead at 65-64.

With momentum turning to their favor, the Red Warriors made an 8-0 spurt, 71-64, in 2:50 as the Archers failed to find its groove in the dying minutes.

La Salle hotshot Samuel Joseph Marata listed a triple to make it a three-point game, 77-74, with 39.2 seconds left but errors downed the stretch caught up with the Taft-based cagers.

“It’s my last year already and I want to win our last games for our school,” said Reyes.

Lee scored a game-high 19 points with a perfect (eight-of-eight) mark on the charity stripe while Reyes and James Martinez chipped in 14 and 13 markers, respectively.

UE’s starters outscored La Salle 49-37, coupled with near flawless free-throw shooting, 88.5 percent as opposed to 47.8 percent for the Green Archers.

Joshua “Spider” Webb paced La Salle’s losing cause with 14 points and five rebounds while freshmen Luis dela Paz and Philip Paredes combined for 23 markers.

NU nips Adamson

Following their end-game demise against title-favorite FEU last Thursday, the Bulldogs showed no signs of weariness as graduating player Jewel Ponferrada fired a booming triple with 2.9 seconds left to down the spirits of the Falcons.

Lester Alvarez tried to force an overtime but his desperate three-pointer missed the rim to the delight of the Sampaloc-based cagers, who celebrated the game as if they won their second championship crown after a 56-year drought.

“This is the first time that I became joyful after winning a match. I’m really happy with this win despite of not making it to the Final Four. I just told my players not to be overwhelmed by pressure,” said debuting coach Eric Gonzales.

The Bulldogs last joined the Final Four bus in 2001 when it defeated UE in the playoffs with both teams sporting an identical 7-7 slate.

Years later, NU finished the 70th season (2007-2008) with a 6-8 card.

Ponferrada tied Emmanuel Mbe for a game-high 11 points, six rebounds and a block while rookie Joseph Terso added nine points.

Mbe made back-to-back stabs to tie the knot at 57-all while Joseph Hermosisima put NU on top, 59-57, with 1:13 remaining.

The Scores

First Game:

UE (80) - Lee 19, Reyes 17, Martinez 13, Zamar 9, Duran 7, Tagarda 6, Acibar 4, Noble 3, Rosopa 2, Santos 0, Hernandez 0, Casajeros 0.

La Salle (74) - Webb 14, Dela Paz 13, Paredes 10, Andrada 7, Atkins 6, Elorde 5, Villanueva 5, Mendoza 5, Tampus 4, Marata 3, Tolentino 2, Reyes 0, Vosotros 0.

Quarters: 20-25, 40-40, 56-56, 80-74.

Second Game:

NU (62) - Mbe 11, Ponferrada 11, Terso 9, Magat 7, Hermosisima 6, Ignacio 5, Malanday 3, Khobuntin 2, Javillonar 2, Eriobu 2, Tungcul 2, Singh 2, Ludovice 0, Javelona 0, Baloran 0.

Adamson (59) - Nuyles 10, Lozada 8, Canada 8, Colina 6, Cabrera 5, Alvarez 5, Galinato 4, Manyara 3, Stinnett 2, Etrone 2.

Quarters: 17-14, 28-32, 44-46, 62-59.

(Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)