Tamaraws get first win over Bulldogs

FEU Manila Administration Building (Wikipedia photo)

MANILA – Championship is only a game away for the Far Eastern University Tamaraws as they slipped past the National University Bulldogs on Saturday, 75-70, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Mac Belo, Mike Tolomia, Roger Pogo, and Achie Iñigo carried their team during the last two quarters.

“Perfect play, perfect timing,” said FEU coach Nash Racela of Belo’s clutch basket with 44.6 seconds left in the final quarter. “Again, Mac is not afraid to take the big shots.”

Belo also did the buzzer-beating triple during FEU’s matchup against La Salle. He made a decisive layup over NU’s Alfred Arogo to give the Tamaraws’ 73-68 lead.

Tolomia chipped in 15 points to give his team a better shot at winning. The Tamaraws currently has the most number of championships in the league; however their last one was in 2005.

The Tararaws hope to finish it up in Game 2 of the best-of-three series on Wednesday, 3:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I just reminded them to do the right things again–to be disciplined, play the right defense,” said Racela.

The Bulldogs’ lost their composure during the third quarter where they only made three field goals and only six out of 13 free throw attempts. This gave the Tamaraws the edge and led by as much as 13 points.