Tams trip Red Warriors for third straight win

It took Far Eastern University (FEU) almost one year to avenge its Final Four meltdown against University of the East.

But for coach Glenn Capacio, a championship ring will be the ultimate revenge over their next-door neighbors from Recto. The Tamaraws proved steadier down the stretch relying on their veterans to survive the Red Warriors’ spirited third-quarter comeback and post a 91-81win in the 73rd UAAP men's basketball tournament on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum. It was FEU's third straight win in as many games to remain on top of the eight-team field while UE dropped to 0-3 for its worst start in years to join University of the Philippines at the cellar. The Tamaraws opened with a 28-12 lead after one quarter and was still up at the turn to be in a good position of scoring a convincing win. But the Tams could not put away the hard-fighting Warriors as Paul Lee, despite playing with an injured right foot, reasserted himself in the third period to power UE back in the game. FEU, however, made sure Lee won't make a repeat of his end-game exploits during their last year’s Final Four match holding UE’s prolific guard scoreless in the final period. "Paul Lee is terrific. I don't know why he plays well against us but I'm happy that we were able to control him. Maybe he was tired," said Capacio. The Tams also had an answer every time the Warriors threatened with Aldrech Ramos and big man Reil Cervantes toying with their defenders inside the paint. Ramos scored on a tip-in off an RR Garcia missed lay-up to give FEU a 76-70 led then Cervantes buried a surprise three-pointer to push it further to 83-75 with 2:32 left. "I think the advantage we have is the maturity and the experience we have together and that what’s carrying us right now," said Capacio. Paul Sanga scored 18 points, all coming from beyond the arc, and was two three-pointers shy of tying the eight triples made by Jeric Fortuna, who led University of Santo Tomas to an 87-81 overtime win over University of the Philippines in the first game. Aldrech Ramos added 17 points, 13 rebounds and two assists while Garcia, who averaged 21.5 points in FEU’s first two games that earned him the UAAP Press Corps Player of the Week honors, tallied 14 points, three rebounds and two assists. Cervantes finished with 11 points and nine rebounds. Kenneth Acibar tallied 16 points, five rebounds and two blocks while rookie Lordy Casajeros and center Edwin Duran registered 12 and 10 points each. Guard James Martinez was held scoreless in 17 minutes of action. – JVP, GMANews.TV