i TV Pinoy

Source: Alder T. Almo, abs-cbnnews.com

-- The Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws pulled off a miraculous win against the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 86-85, in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) Elite Eight on Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Down by six points, 77-83, with 1:45 left, the Tamaraws closed out the game with a 9-2 run and watched Val Acuna miss an unmolested layup at the buzzer to escape with the win.

RR Garcia sparked FEU’s rally with a triple then capped off his heroics with the final basket off Raphy Reyes’ turnover in the final 17.5 seconds.

UE still had the chance but But Acuna missed an open lay up at the buzzer.

The Tamaraws, who were down by 10 points midway the second period, leaned on the hot shooting of JR Cawaling to sit on 49-40 spread at halftime.

Cawaling scored 20 of his game-high 25 points in the first half, connecting four triples in the second quarter alone.

The Warriors, however, quickly zapped FEU’s 12-point lead in the third period to regain the upper hand.

UE sparked an 11-2 exchange in the fourth quarter but FEU played steady down the stretch to erase the bitter memory of their Final Four loss to the same squad in the UAAP.

“It’s a miraculous win. Merong doubts na we can’t pull it off, merong doubts na magco-collapse kami. I’m happy they did not give up,” said FEU coach Glenn Capacio.

Aside from Cawaling, who also had 6 assists, FEU also drew big games from the rest of the team.

Paul Sanga came through with 18 points and 5 assists while Reil Cervantes had an almost double-double with 12 points and 8 boards. Garcia scored 12 and added 7 assists while Ramos had an all-around game with 9 markers, 11 boards and 3 blocks.

UE, on the other hand, got 19 points from Acuna while Lee flirted with a triple-double collecting 18 points, 11 boards and 9 assists.

The Tamaraws advanced to the Final Four opposite the winner of San Sebastian-Letran Elite Eight match up. Alder T. Almo

The Scores:

FEU 86 – Cawaling 25, Sanga 18, Cervantes 12, Garcia 12, Ramos 9, Vinluan 4, Exciminiano 2, Knuttel 2, Noundou 2, Manalo 0.

UE 85 – Acuna 19, Lee 18, Llgas 15, Espiritu 14, Zamar 8, Flores 7, Sumido 4, Noble 0, Ayala 0, Duran 0, Reyes 0.

Quarters: 17-23, 49-40, 64-61, 86-85.