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FEU ends Ateneo’s undefeated run

August 2nd, 2008 | by Ben |

THERE won’t be a 14-game sweep of the elimination round this season.

Far Eastern University ended Ateneo de Manila’s quest to emulate the 2007 University of the East Red Warriors after scoring a come-from-behind 72-66 win in the 71st UAAP seniors basketball tournament last July 31, 2008 at the Araneta Coliseum.

FEU displayed remarkable endgame poise and leaned on the heroics of forward Aldrech Ramos and slotman Reil Cervantes to hand Ateneo its first loss and in the process share the top post together with its victims and defending champion De La Salle University at 5-1.

In doing so, the Tamaraws also rendered Ateneo big man Rabeh Al-Hussaini’s career-high 33 points academic. The ex-Philippine Christian University Baby Dolphin’s output was the highest since Adamson slotman Kenneth Bono recorded the same output in the elimination round two years ago.

“My big men struggle every time they face Ateneo because of Al-Hussaini. But in the endgame, we able to stop them,” said FEU coach Glen Capacio.

Al-Hussaini missed a crucial short jumper, which almost extend the Eagles’ 66-65 lead entering the final minute. Ramos, who had 12 points, scored the go-ahead jumper in the ensuing play to give FEU a 67-66 lead with 47 ticks to go.

FEU’s solid defense then prevented Chris Tiu from scoring the much-needed basket in the pivotal seconds, which cost Ateneo the game.

Asked if Mac Baracael, FEU’s fallen forward, was still the catalyst of the team’s strong play, Capacio said: “I don’t know what it is. Maybe it is the desire and the heart of the players who are working now.”

The Tamaraws have won two straight games since Baracael was shot by a still unknown assailant a week ago. According to Capacio, center Robert Kave has decided to leave the team to return to Papua New Guinea tomorrow.

Kave was with Baracael and Ron Cabagnot when the incident happened outside the FEU Gym along Morayta.

The Tams, despite not finding any answers to Al-Hussaini’s onslaught, still managed to claw back into the game thanks to solid guard play.

After Al-Hussaini scored on two free throws to hand the Blue Eagles a 60-57 lead at the 4:53 mark, FEU guards Andy Barroca and Benedict Fernandez combined to move FEU to move within a basket at 65-66, with 1:21 left.

The loss was painful, especially for the Katipunan faithful, who were celebrating the feast day of the founder of the Jesuit order, St. Ignatius. Ateneo seemed to have the game under control after erecting a 56-46 lead early in the fourth, where Al-Hussaini looked unstoppable in the shaded lane.

Reil Cervantes, who led the Tams with 14 points and 13 rebounds, put the finishing touches on his squad’s win with a two-handed slam in the dying seconds of the ballgame.

The scores:

FEU 72 – Cervantes 14, Fernandez 12, Ramos 12, Barroca 11, Sanga 7, Cawaling 5, Adolfo 4, Alisbo 3, Tanuan 2, Macazo 0, Kave 0.

Ateneo 66 – Al-Hussaini 33, Baclao 8, Tiu 7, Salamat 7, Buenafe 4, Reyes 3, Baldos 2, Long 2, Salva 0, Burke 0, Austria 0, Nkemakolam 0, Escueta 0.

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