Going for clincher vs NU Bulldogs, Tams hope to relive glory years

MANILA, Philippines - The Far Eastern U Tams hope to feed on the memory of their past to end their long spell and return as champs.

The Tams seek to re-install themselves as the top team as they gun for their 20th UAAP men’s basketball crown against the embattled National U Bulldogs at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

On the cusp of glory after their 75-70 win in the finals opener, the Tams move in for the kill today against a Bulldogs pack expected to throw everything to stay alive.

“We’ll try to the end it tomorrow (today),” FEU coach Nash Racela said on the eve of the 4 p.m. match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. “We’re anticipating another strong start from NU so we need to match their intensity.”

Though they actually have two shots at the title in the best-of-three series, the Tams regard Game Two as a “must-win.”

“We’ll treat it as a do-or-die. We continue to preach to our players not to give the other team a window to come back,” Racela said.

The Bulldogs haven’t actually beaten FEU in three meetings this season but vowed to alter the trend today as they bid to not only force a rubbermatch but completely turn things around in their hunt for their first crown in 60 long years.

“It will be a different ballgame on Wednesday. Itong team na ito, hindi ito bibigay, lalaban ito (This team won’t give in and stop fighting),” said NU mentor Eric Altamirano.

NU is on familiar territory: A win-or-go-home match. The Bustillos-based cagers survived thrice before, in the KO for the fourth and last semis berth against University of the East, and in the Final Four against top seed and twice-to-beat Ateneo.

“We need to step up big-time, go harder on defense because the way I see it, defense will win championships,” said NU’s Cameroonian center Alfred Aroga.

If ever, Game Three will be played next Wednesday.

Defense has been the signature of NU all season long but FEU has managed to defy it so far.

“They always talk about our offense. They say this is the finals between an offensive team and a defensive team. But I think what they overlook is that we are an underrated defensive team,” said Racela.

Aroga said they have to find a way to stop FEU aces Mac Belo and Mike Tolomia.

“We just have to do what we do best, as in defend, control the rebounds, make stops and try to execute,” said Aroga.

But with its team-oriented system, FEU can rely on its role players to fill in if Belo or Tolomia gets clamped down.

“The ideal thing for us, everybody must contribute. But that won’t be a reality as much as we want to. The other guys should be ready to step up if ever Mac, Mike or Hargrove struggle. And I’m confident they will be ready,” said Racela.

Meanwhile, the league will fete the season’s top individual performers at 2 p.m., led by men’s division MVP Kiefer Ravena of Ateneo and women’s division counterpart Afril Bernardino of champion NU Lady Bulldogs.