Tams keep Eagles grounded with OT win

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern U rocked the early goings of UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball tournament with back-to-back upset wins over summer collegiate champ University of the East and UAAP five-peat titlist Ateneo.

The Tamaraws sustained their impressive start in the season, dishing out another gutsy performance to repulse the Eagles, 79-75, in overtime last night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

The Tamaraws squandered an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter but recovered with clutch plays of their backcourt players in the extra period, thus, gaining the early solo lead in the tourney.

Terrence Romeo, RR Garcia and Mike Tolomia made the big difference as FEU, out of the UAAP Final Four last year, remained undefeated under new coach Nash Racela while handing Ateneo its first successive losses in the league in six years.

Reserve forward Roger Ray Pogoy helped with one key play late in overtime, stealing a rebound from Ryan Buenafe as the Tams sent the Eagles to a 0-2 start also for the first time since 2003.

With Ateneo missing the services of injured guard Kiefer Ravena, Buenafe stepped up and came through with a UAAP best game of 29 points and 15 rebounds before losing steam at endgame.

The whole Ateneo team faded when it mattered most, going 1-of-11 from the field in OT.

“We’re fortunate to come away with this win. They will be very formidable once Kiefer comes back,” said Racela.

Meanwhile, La Salle broke into the win-column on a 96-84 whipping of University of the Philippines in the first game.

Just like in the previous season, La Salle notched its first win in UAAP Season 76 at the expense of University of the Phils. with the Green Archers first stringers doing much of the damage on the Maroons.

Prized rookie acquisition Jason Perkins (20 points and 13 rebounds) and Norbert Torres (14 markers and 17 boards) piled up double-double numbers while wingman Jeron Teng tossed in 20 points as the Archers kept their perfect slate against the Maroons dating back to 2009.

Backcourt partner Thomas Torres and Almond Vosotros combined for 29 points and 11 assists for the Archers, who negated a second straight career-high effort by former teammate Joseph Marata with the Maroons.

Marata, who played his first three UAAP seniors seasons with La Salle, marked his return to UP with 20 points against the Falcons and 21 against the Archers.

A former UAAP juniors MVP with UP Integrated School, Marata engaged Teng in a shootout but didn’t get enough support from his teammates, allowing La Salle to hand rookie coach Juno Sauler his first UAAP career win.

Sauler and his troops bounced back from an opening-day loss to University of Santo Tomas while dealing UP its second straight defeat following a losing debut against Adamson.

“We’re getting used to the system of coach Juno. In practice, he emphasizes that he wants us to push the ball hard,” said Teng.

The Maroons held their ground majority of the match minus guard Mikee Reyes but just couldn’t keep up as the Archers pressed their bid and seized control for good entering the homestretch.

Apparently due to a spat with the coaching staff, Reyes left the team after just a game in his return from a two-year layoff. He came through with six assists, four points and two rebounds against the Falcons.

“Well, that was a quick season. If you are not needed anymore, accept and move on. Good luck to the UP Fighting Maroons! #UPFight,” said Reyes in his Twitter account.