Tams confident despite Game 2 loss

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern University coach Nash Racela blamed the Tams’ horrendous shooting for their stinging 56-62 setback to University of Santo Tomas in Game Two but expressed confidence his gunners, led by Mike Tolomia, will regain their shooting touch in the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball rubber match on Wednesday.

The usually on-target Tams made only 16 of their 59 attempts on the floor for 27 percent and struggled on the stripe as well with a 20-of-35 clip (57 percent).

Most glaring was the atrocious marksmanship of Tolomia, who flubbed all his 15 tries and made all his seven markers from the free throw line.

“We struggled offensively. We shot 27 percent from the field and we missed our free throws, 15 of them,” rued Racela.

Despite Tolomia’s excruciating misses in Game Two, Racela said FEU would bounce back strong in sudden death.

“It’s not a concern. Again they are veterans, I’m sure they’ll come back stronger the next time,” said Racela.

In contrast to Tolomia, UST star Kevin Ferrer sizzled with 29 points on a nine-of-18 shooting night, spiking his heroics with a game-changing 24-point spree in the third period.

“Being a veteran, Mike took shots (in the crunch) but just didn’t make them. Actually if he just made one of his three-point attempts it’s going to be a different ballgame altogether. It’s a give-and-take, really, you need someone to take the big shots. I think if Kevin Ferrer didn’t gamble in the third, he wouldn’t eventually explode,” said Racela.

Tolomia begged off from media interviews but just said: “Bawi na lang ako sa Game Three (I’ll bounce back in Game Three),”

UST coach Bong dela Cruz said it was the Tigers’ stifling defense that held off FEU. But Racela disagreed.

“I don’t think so because there were a lot of non-calls on our players so mahirap (it’s tough). But ganun talaga, you just have to play better than those non-calls,” he lamented.

Racela rued that FEU, which gives up an average of 19 fouls and 18 freebies every game all season, ended up giving up 26 fouls and 27 FTs in Game Two. He said two of the refs who officiated in their second-round loss to UST were on the job again in Game Two.

“Same refs today (Saturday) and we gave up a lot again. I think that’s something to look at. But again, we got free throws, we missed them so there’s no other (party) to blame but ourselves,” he said.

The Tams remain positive as they try to avert another finals meltdown like last season and win it in the end this time.

“The goal is to have a different outcome (than last season). We’re all positive, we’re confident that we’ll get it next time, on Wednesday,” said Racela.