FEU beats Adamson, sets up Finals rematch with Ateneo

A first-year guard stepped up big for Far Eastern University. Mike Tolomia had 13 of his 19 points in the second half to lead Far Eastern University to a 78-74 victory over Adamson Sunday to advance to the finals of the 74th UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum. With the victory, FEU set up a finals rematch with Ateneo despite Adamson’s twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four. The Tamaraws hope to avenge last season’s loss in the finals and ruin the Blue Eagles’ quest for a fourth straight championship. “We had a chance at the second seed but we failed. But I was confident that we can beat Adamson in the Final Four as a number-three seed because we played them well in the preseason," said FEU coach Bert Flores. Game 1 is set Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum. Tolomia played like a veteran leading the Tamaraws to victory as he hit three of six from three-point range with sophomore Terrence Romeo and rookie Russel Escoto following Tolomia’s lead in the second half. Romeo had nine of his 15 points in the second half while Escoto had 10 points along with nine rebounds, most of which coming in the second half. Unlike Romeo who played his first year fresh out of high school with the Tamaraws last year, Tolomia and Escoto are playing their first season for FEU after a stint with the Philippine youth team. “The veterans struggled but the rookies stepped up. I know that they can do it because they already played in the Philippine team," said Bert Flores. Adamson mounted a thrilling comeback with Jerick Canada hitting back-to-back triples to score 12 of his 14 points in the final period, but it wasn’t enough to beat FEU. Alex Nuyles was shackled again by the FEU defense as he had a quiet 12 points. Adamson’s top guard Lester Alvarez only had nine points. Tolomia hit a lay-up while Chris Exciminiano scored a three-point play in the third quarter to increase FEU’s lead to 10 points, 57-47, with 1:06 left in the third period. An Escoto short stab made it a 74-65 game but Adamson forced turnovers in the back court with Canada taking advantage by knocking in three-point shots to cut the Falcons’ deficit to three points, 74-71, with 1:44 left in the game. But Aldrech Ramos conspired with RR Garcia in their usual pick-and-pop play, converting on a long two-pointer to snap Adamson’s run. Camson hit two free throws on Garcia’s fifth foul on the next play but Nuyles choked in the clutch, missing a jumper and one of two free throws to trail, 76-74, with 51.2 ticks left. The Falcons also failed to grab a defensive board in the end as the Tamaraws grabbed three offensive rebounds down the stretch to melt the clock. Romeo hit two free throws with four seconds left to settle the score. Garcia had 11 markers, six rebounds and three assists before fouling out. Ramos had 10 points and 12 rebounds for FEU. -OMG, GMA News The scores: FEU 78—Tolomia 19, Romeo 15, Garcia 11, Escoto 10, Ramos 10, Cruz 8, Exciminiano 5, Pogoy 0, Bringas 0, Knuttel 0. ADAMSON 74—Canada 14, Camson 13, Nuyles 12, Lozada 9, Alvarez 9, Colina 8, Manyara 4, Petilos 3, Brondial 2, Cabrera 0. Quarters: 18-14, 33-35, 57-50, 78-74.