COMING up with another strong start and finish will be the Far Eastern University Tamaraws’ goal when they meet the Ateneo Blue Eagles in their 4 p.m. rubber match today in the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Coach Nash Racela said this as the Tams and the Eagles clash for the last finals berth in their Final Four semifinal showdown.
“Just focus and play the whole 40 minutes. Coach Tab Baldwin will counter what we did,” said Racela after the Tamaraws overpowered the Blue Eagles, 80-67, last Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Tamaraws were led by guard Ron Dennison, who fired 17 points, including 3 of 8 three point attempts.
Led by Dennison, Richard Escoto and Prince Orizu, FEU was able to match Ateneo’s 39 rebounds with their own 38 boards.
Coach Tab Baldwin commended FEU for playing a very sharp game.
In their rubber match, Baldwin said the Blue Eagles will try to figure out how they can get past the Tams.
“This is playoff basketball. And they were sharper both ends. I have to figure out why they won,” said Baldwin.
Meanwhile, the officiating that went on during the Final Four encounter between the defending champion La Salle Green Archers and the Adamson Falcons last Saturday is undergoing an evaluation.
Commissioner Rebo Saguisag said this after he placed the three referees Hernan Alejo, Ian Borbe and Noli Borbe, who officiated the game, under indefinite suspension.
“This is a provisional remedy. We are still in the process of evaluating the whole game,” said Saguisag in an interview with the Manila Standard, three days after the Green Archers won over the Falcons, 82-75, in their Final Four showdown at the Araneta Coliseum.
The win put the Green Archers in the finals of the men’s basketball tournament.
“It is loud and clear that the calls were made by referees were downrightly unfair and biased. The manner the game was officiated was revolting and calls for immediate action in order to forestall its duplication in the future,” said Fr. Aldrin Suan, a member of the UAAP board of managing directors representing Adamson University, in his letter requesting for a review of the officiating.
Saguisag, who immediately acted on the letter, said that while an investigation is under way, the three referees have been pulled out of their duties in the men’s, women’s and junior tournaments.
A panel has been formed, with Mark Molina of host Far Eastern University and Ateneo women’s basketball coach Erika Dy making up the body.
“We are with you in avoiding a duplication, and if yesterday’s [Saturday’s] game is an indication, it is humbly submitted that we took a step in the right direction,” said Saguisag in his letter to Suan.
