FEU hopes to end 2-game slide vs. Adamson

By Anthony Divinagracia Posted Sep 7th 2013

Few have expected Far Eastern University (FEU) to dominate the season early on.

But the Tamaraws managed to do it in the first round.

Now, many were surprised how FEU turned things around – for the worse.

The erstwhile league-leading Tamaraws though still have time to regain their confidence and winning form as FEU meets out-of-the-running Adamson University today in the second round of the 76^th UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the MOA Arena.

Game time is set at 4 p.m. with the Tamaraws (8-4) hoping to arrest a two-game slide following a morale-deflating double-overtime loss to University of Santo Tomas last Sunday.

Adamson on the other hand is coming off a 67-53 win over bottom-feeder University of the Philippines last Saturday to check a six-game losing skid for a 4-8 card.

Ranged against the struggling Tigers, the Tamaraws controlled the pace majority of the way only to fall in the second extension via a pulsating 78-79 decision.

Terrence Romeo led FEU with 19 points but went scoreless in both overtimes. RR Garcia, who returned from a one-game suspension, was a non-factor, wounding up with just right markers in 39 minutes.

Only Mac Belo and Gryann Mendoza carried the fight for FEU in the extra period. Belo had a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds, with nine coming from the offensive end. Mendoza on the other hand added 13 plus nine boards.

Meanwhile, the Falcons leaned on big man Ingrid Sewa to dispose of the Maroons. The 6-foot-8 Sewa owned the paint to chalk up a double-double of 18 points and 15 rebounds, on top of three blocks. He got ample backing from Roider Cabrera and Jansen Rios who had 17 and 16 to offset the absence of Jericho Cruz.

With Cruz’ expected return and Sewa gaining confidence from his last outing, the Falcons are tipped to pose some trouble for FEU, which will miss Anthony Hargrove today.

Hargrove was meted a one-game suspension for hurting Karim Abdul in their previous encounter.

Sans Hargrove, Christian Sentcheu and Carl Cruz are expected to burn more minutes in the paint to contain the hulking Sewa and veteran Rodney Brondial.

Romeo on the other hand will again pit his firepower against Jericho Cruz, who skipped Adamson’s game versus UP due to illness. That same day, Adamson coach Leo Austria announced his decision to step down as Falcons mentor afetr this season.

"I am stepping down as coach after this season. I can sense it, I'm not welcome anymore. If somebody's against you, it's not healthy for the team anymore," he said without elaborating.  

Back in the first round, the Tamaraws escaped the Falcons, 74-71.

The game will air live on Studio 23, BALLS HD 167 and uaapsports.tv with a same day replay tonight at 8:30 p.m. on BALLS SkyCable channel 34/ Destiny channel 36.