MANILA, Philippines – The FEU Tamaraws made positive to welcome head coach Sean Chambers with a rousing win.
Boosted by the return of their new mentor, the Tamaraws clinched the final spot within the crossover playoffs after outclassing the UST Growling Tigers, 79-72, within the FilOil EcoOIl Preseason Cup on Thursday, June 6.
“Nothing in opposition to final yr’s group, however you undoubtedly see a distinct FEU group proper now in comparison with final yr’s group,” mentioned Chambers, who reached the venue an hour earlier than the sport as he returned from the US.
“They’re beginning to see the massive image and understanding that we might be good proper now. We don’t have to attend to yr 1, yr 2, or yr 3. We may very well be aggressive proper now with the correct mindset and a focus to particulars,” mentioned the previous PBA import nicknamed “Mr. 100%.”
The win gave the Tamaraws their fourth win in seven video games to safe the third seed within the UAAP bracket, establishing a quarterfinal showdown in opposition to NCAA’s Faculty of St. Benilde Blazers.
The Tamaraws put an emphasis on attacking the paint as they solely tried 10 threes within the sport in comparison with UST’s 26. This strategy paid off nicely for FEU, making 58% of their two-pointers (31-of-53), and 53% general (34-of-63).
FEU additionally outscored UST within the paint, 46-32.
Rookie massive Veejay Pre stood out for FEU, notching 22 factors on 9-of-12 capturing, together with 5 rebounds and 6 assists to outplay a few of UST’s formidable frontcourt gamers equivalent to Christian Manaytay and new overseas student-athlete Peter Osang.
In the meantime, veteran guard Royce Alforque performed because the stabilizer for the Tamaraws with 15 factors on an environment friendly 6-of-7 capturing, whereas Jorick Bautista and Mo Konateh added 12 markers every to push FEU to the preseason tilt’s playoff spherical.
“It’s nice to have Royce are available in and settle us down with some massive performs in massive elements once we want him (essentially the most),” mentioned Chambers, baring that it was additionally the primary time he noticed Alforque play in a sport for the group underneath his watch.
“It’s actually a pleasure watching him play at the moment and see how he controls the sport,” Chambers mentioned of Alforque.
Chambers additionally gave credit score to his teaching employees led by final yr’s head coach Denok Miranda for bringing the Tamaraws to the quarterfinals whereas he was away from the group for his son’s commencement.
“I really want to provide credit score and kudos to my teaching employees. I’ve been solely capable of put in my system for only a month now due to my son’s commencement and household duties,” mentioned Chambers.
“It’s wonderful to observe the expansion of this system and us being attentive to particulars.”
In the meantime, Nic Cabanero led UST with 17 factors, whereas Forthsky Padrigao contributed 15, just for the Tigers to be down by as many as 19 factors within the sport.
Within the different UAAP matchup, the NU Bulldogs wrapped up their preseason marketing campaign by demolishing the undermanned De La Salle Inexperienced Archers, 81-52.
Secured of the second seed, UAAP champion La Salle will face NCAA champion San Beda Pink Lions within the quarterfinals.
Rounding off the bracket, the UE Pink Warriors will tackle the NCAA’s prime seed Letran Knights.
The unbeaten UP Preventing Maroons will match up in opposition to the Mapua Cardinals within the playoff spherical scheduled for June 8.
In different outcomes, the LPU Pirates took down the JRU Heavy Bombers, 74-70, the EAC Generals outlasted the CSB Blazers, 75-70, and the Pink Lions secured their playoff berth with a 73-70 beating of the Arellano Chiefs.
The Scores
First Recreation
LPU 74 — Barba 15, Montaño 13, Peñafiel 11, Daileg 11, Guadaña 6, Aviles 5, Cunanan 5, Villegas 3, Caduyac 3, Versoza 2, Garro 0, Reyes 0, Carino 0, Pallingayan 0, Reyes 0, Fuentes 0.
JRU 70 — Guiab 16, Raymundo 15, Panapanaan 13, De Leon 6, Sarmiento 5, Garcia 5, Ramos 4, Bernardo 3, Lozano 2, Ferrer 1, De Jesus 0, Samontanes 0, Benitez 0, Raymundo 0, Pabico 0.
Quarters: 25-12, 32-33, 50-54, 74-70.
Second Recreation
EAC 75 — Gurtiza 17, Tolentino 10, Oftana 8, Luciano 7, Angeles 6, Quinal 6, Pagsanjan 6, Bagay 4, Ochavo 4, Doria 2, Loristo 2, Umpad 2, Jacob 1, Ednilag 0, Devara 0.
Benilde 70 — Torres 9, Galas 8, Eusebio 7, Carillo 7, Morales 6, Vanguardia 5, Serrano 5, Turco 4, Ondoa 4, Turco 4, Cometa 4, Jalalon 4, Oli 3, Cajucom 2, Victoria 2.
Quarters: 21-23, 43-42, 64-63, 75-70.
Third Recreation
FEU 79 — Pre 22, Alforque 15, Konateh 12, Bautista 12, Daa 9, Godinez 5, Pasaol 4, Buenaventura 0, Bagunu 0, Gordon 0, Ona 0, Felipe 0.
UST 72 — Cabañero 17, Padrigao 15, Osang 10, Crisostomo 10, Manaytay 7, Paranada 5, Pangilinan 3, Danting 3, Acido 2, Castro 0, Estacio 0, Laure 0, Robinson 0.
Quarters: 22-16, 40-31, 64-47, 79-72.
Fourth Recreation
San Beda 73 — Payosing 19, Sajonia 16, Andrada 9, Calimag 8, Estacio 4, Tagle 4, Jalbuena 4, Puno 3, Gonzales 3, Torres 2, Celzo 1, Calimag 0, Jamora 0, Lopez 0, Songcuya 0.
Arellano 70 — Ongotan 20, Abiera 15, Hernal 9, Libang 8, Borromeo 7, Vinoya 6, Millier 3, Dayrit 2, Capulong 0, Geronimo 0, Camay 0, Acop 0, Dela Cruz 0, Espiritu 0.
Quarters: 20-19, 36-35, 47-56, 73-70.
Fifth Recreation
NU 81 — Tulabut 11, Palacielo 10, Yu 9, Figueroa 8, Garcia 7, Enriquez 6, John 6, Manansala 5, Lim 4, Padrones 4, Santiago 4, Francisco 3, Gulapa 2, Dela Cruz 2, Perciano 0.
La Salle 52 — Quiambao 12, Policarpio 9, Gollena 6, Gaspay 5, Agunanne 5, Cortez 5, Marasigan 4, Austria 3, Buenaventura 2, Romero 1, Abadam 0, Ramiro 0, Rubico 0.
Quarters: 28-15, 43-28, 69-42, 81-52.
– Rappler.com
