Final Four Cast: Wounded Tams lean on big heart

Far Eastern University Tamaraws

Record: 9-5

Seeding: 3

Last UAAP title: 2005

MANILA, Philippines - Hit by injuries even before the tournament started, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws still found ways to rise above adversity and make their way to the Final Four.

“I think we did well in the eliminations, having reached the Final Four despite injuries to our players,” said FEU coach Bert Flores, who had to endure the absence of Cameroonian forward Pippo Noundou (achilles) from the get-go and succeeding injuries to JR Cawaling (knee), Christian Sentcheu (foot), Chris Exciminiano (ankle) and Russel Escoto (hand) at some point.

Bert Flores

After a rather slow 4-3 start, the Tams, behind RR Garcia and Aldrech Ramos, barreled their way to five wins in the second round, including a 66-57 triumph over La Salle in the last day that secured their third seeding.

Escoto has been playing with the injury while Exciminiano, who sprained his left ankle early in the La Salle game, should be back in action. Cawaling, Noundou and Sentcheu may get to see “quality minutes” against AdU.

Flores, coach of the 2005 FEU champion team who got back on the mentor’s chair early this year, expects a good fight with the Falcons, with whom they split their two matches this season.

“Adamson’s on a high after beating Ateneo behind good preparations and defense, so we’ll have to be ready for them,” said Flores, whose wards have to beat AdU twice to book a return trip to the finals.

“Some of our players have championship experience but I think this will be evened out by the fact that they (AdU) are intact and have been together since their coach (Leo Austria) came in,” he added.

A must in their game plan is to put the clamps on high-flying Alex Nuyles, who averaged 19.5 points and 6.5 rebounds against FEU, and Lester Alvarez.

Aldrech Ramos

“We have to contain Nuyles, that’s why we need Exciminiano’s defensive presence, and also stop their veteran guards led by Alvarez. Their offensive rebounding is also of concern as they have taller wingmen and they have advantage in the frontline,” Flores said.

He expects Garcia and backcourt partners Terrence Romeo and Michael Tolomia, and Ramos and his fellow big men to bring in their A-games.

“This is the Final Four, the stage we’ve been preparing for since summer and so everyone should give their 101 percent,” Flores said, expressing confidence his crew will be up to the challenge.