MANILA -- Far Eastern University (FEU) turned back on University of Santo Tomas (UST), 76-67, to enlist the school’s 13th semifinal appearance since the introduction of the Final Four format in 1994.
Bigman Aldrech Ramos and former Baby Tamaraw standout Terrence Romeo led the charge for FEU with 21 points and 13, respectively, to deal UST’s fifth straight loss Saturday night in the 73rd UAAP men's basketball tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
“At least we are already here at the Final Four but we should never rest our guards because our aim is to enter the Top 2, get the twice-to-beat bonus. The players came big for us today. For this game, the defense was concentrated on RR but his assists and leadership inside the court made up for it,” said coach Glenn Capacio.
In a game marked by five deadlocks and four lead changes, FEU repeated its mastery over UST by pulling away in the final canto and crush the hopes of the gritty Espana-based cagers.
Jeric Fortuna, who peppered eight triples in a single game last month, made a poor outside shooting (one of six attempts) to banner UST’s losing cause with 12 markers, three boards and seven assists.
The Tamaraws are still on top of the heap with a 9-1 card while the Tigers found themselves in the brink after sporting a 3-7 slate, alongside University of the East. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)