FEU turns back La Salle, secures twice-to-beat advantage in final four

Far Eastern University survived a near-collapse in the second half to ward off La Salle, 65-60, and secure a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs of UAAP Season 77 Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena. Mike Tolomia scored 19 points and eight rebounds as the Tamaraws drew first blood against the Green Archers in their virtual best-of-three series. The two teams will meet again for their final four matchup, with FEU needing just one more win to advance to the finals. After building a 13-point second quarter lead, FEU allowed La Salle to mount a comeback and even take the lead late in the game. But the Tamaraws closed the game with a 7-0 run to keep the Green Archers at bay. FEU led by as much as 13, 27-14, in the second period after opening the quarter with a 12-2 run. But the Tamaraws were unable to break the game wide open as the Green Archers hung around. La Salle then exploded in the third period triggered by the hot shooting of Almond Vosotros, who scored 10 points after draining two triples and a four-point play to fuel a 19-9 rally that tied the game at 50-all late in the quarter. But Tolomia bailed out FEU with a three-pointer at the buzzer to help the Tamaraws maintain a 53-50 lead entering the final frame. Arnold Van Opstal then flashed a nifty spin move in the post to score a layup and give La Salle a 60-58 edge with 3:23 remaining in the game, its first taste of the lead since early in the first quarter. Tolomia then scored crucial baskets for FEU, first converting on a strong drive to the basket before making a split from the line to give the Tamaraws a 61-60 lead. La Salle and FEU exchanged turnovers, before Norbert Torres missed a basket underneath. That led to a fastbreak play by the Tamaraws finished by Carl Cruz, who missed the bonus free throw but put FEU ahead, 63-60, with 21 seconds remaining. Vosotros then suddenly hoisted a triple from way beyond the arc which failed to find the mark. He quickly got his own miss, but lost the ball to Tolomia which forced the Green Archers to give up an unsportsmanlike foul. Tolomia and Cruz sank two of their next free throws with six seconds remaining to seal the win for FEU. Mac Belo added 15 points and 10 rebounds for FEU. Jason Perkins posted 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Vosotros added 13 markers for La Salle, which already lost to FEU three times this season.