Tamaraws stop Golden Stags’ mighty rally in preseason tilt

FAR Eastern University (FEU) jumped to a 19-1 first quarter lead but had to stay tough on defense in the final period to post a 62-55 win over San Sebastian College-recoletos, 62-55, for the Tamaraws’ first victory in the Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup on Wednesday at the Filoil Ecooil Centre in San Juan.

L-jay Gonzales scored five points in the first four minutes as the Tamaraws trampled and gored Golden Stags who missed all 16 field goal attempts and committed 12 turnovers in the first quarter alone.

Dylan Garcia split his free throws for San Sebastian’s lone point in the opening period and could only score again after more than three minutes in the second quarter on Garcia’s short jumper.

FEU led by as many as 20 points but saw its comfortable advantage reduced to 54-51 when Rommel Calahat scored in the shade with 52.7 seconds left.

Royce Alforque kept the Tamaraws ahead with an insurance layup with 32.4 seconds to go.

“We had to remind them about the fundamentals. Our team, especially our guards, likes to gamble. We always have to tell them to stay disciplined,” said FEU’S acting head coach Eric Gonzales following their first win in three games in Group B.

Alforque wound up with 11 points and seven rebounds, while Patrick Sleat had 13 points, four rebounds and three assists. Gonzales also had four assists before fouling out midway the fourth quarter.

“We really need to step up. We lost one of our main guys, so everyone who’s sent in has a role to play,” said Sleat as key reserve Bryan Sajonia also had to be stretchered out of the court because of muscle fatigue in the third quarter.

Raymart Escobido scored 13 points, while Michael Are added 12 points for San Sebastian.

Jielo Razon was rebounding and dishing out assists pretty well but missed eight attempts only to find himself making his ninth try, a threepointer over the outstretched hands of over EAC’S Kriss Gurtiza —that hoisted University of Perpetual Help over Emilio Aguinaldo College, 66-63, in the other game.

“My coaches and teammates told me to make the shot and luckily I did make the game-winner,” said Razon, who had seven rebounds and seven assists in the game.

“The play wasn’t for him [Razon] but he insisted of making the shot,” Perpetual head coach Myk Saguiguit said of the gunner he’s been mentoring since high school. “He’s been missing a lot of shots, but at any given time, I’ll give it to him.”

Cyrus Nitura also had a 17-point and 10-rebound double-double stint for the Altas, who improved to 1-1 in Group A.

Ralphrobinhad23points,whilegurtiza and Allen Liwag chipped in 12 points apiece for the Generals, who also hold a 1-1 card.