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IN the first skirmish to determine the one true national champion of collegiate basketball, the resiliency and the perseverance of Far Eastern University propelled them to succeed against the favored Ateneo de Manila.

The Tamaraws defeated the Blue Eagles in a come from behind 75-70 victory in Game 1 of the Finals in the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City last December 9, 2009.

Ateneo came out firing with 9 first quarter points coming from confident 5th year point guard, Jai Reyes. He was knocked down 3 out of 5 three points baskets in that opening salvo to contribute to Ateneo’s 12 point lead at the end of the first ten minutes of play. “Jai-namite” would go on to finish the game with 18 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

However, in the second quarter, FEU outrebounded Ateneo 16-5, 7 of them coming from the offensive end. The Morayta squad eventually managed to tie the ballgame three times in the quarter, yet they were still unable to take the lead. Paul Sanga scored 7 of his 15 points at this phase of the contest to trim the Ateneo lead to just two points, 39-37 going into halftime.

The supporting audience of both teams witnesses some scary moments in the third quarter. At the 8:30 mark of the quarter, Chris Sumalinog apparently came down awkwardly on his left knee while pulling down a rebound. He fell on the floor clutching the knee and the game had to be stopped momentarily. But, after being attended to by some Ateneo physicians, Sumalinog stood up and was able to walk back to the bench using his own legs. Ateneo supporters clapped for the surprise package of the Blue Eagles this PCCL campaign. He was able to return to action later on in the quarter. The 4th year forward has been averaging 10.6 points per game in this year’s PCCL.

For FEU, things were worse on their end as starting center Riel Cervantes sprained his right ankle at the 7:10 mark of the third quarter and had to be carried off to the bench. Cervantes exited the game with 14 points and 4 rebounds. He did not return for action.

“Natapilok. Doubtful starter siguro siya sa susunod na game,” said Coach Glen Capacio.

RR Garcia once again played a magnificent game finishing with a game-high 22 points. He also grabbed 8 boards and dished out 5 assists. His defining moment of the game came in the final 3 minutes and 12 seconds when the Zamboanga native drilled in a three-point basket to give FEU its first lead of the match, 67-64.

Coach Norman Black immediately called a timeout and set up a play for Jai Reyes who responded with a trey of his own to knot the game up again at 67. After Cameroonian recruit, Pippo Noundou converted two free-throws to regain the lead. Nonoy Baclao missed a lay-up on the other end and on the ensuing play, FEU Rookie sensation, RR Garcia hit a big three-point basket from the left wing with 2:05 left in regulation to give the Tamaraws adequate separation to close out the game.

UAAP MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini did not suit up in the game to focus on his participation with the Smart Gilas National Developmental Team.

FEU Head Coach Glen Capacio realizes the loss Ateneo has to make up for by playing without their star center this PCCL campaign.

“Ang nawawala sa kanila yung 20 points and 10 rebounds. So, yan ang malaking bagay. Pero, nag-step up din yung big men nila eh. Kasi itong team na to sabi ko, kahit sinong mawala, malalim yung bench. Nandun yung disciplina. Sabi ko, may sistema. Hindi nagbabago. So, sana yung team ko, makita ko nga na ganun din sa kanila. Sana, sana lang. Ilang months pa naman bago mag UAAP. Improve lang kami ng mag-improve,” said coach Glen Capacio after the game.

A familiar face has been spotted on the FEU bench this PCCL season. According to Head Coach Glen Capacio, former pro player and three-point extraordinaire, Ritchie Ticzon joined the FEU Tamaraws as an assistant coach at the start of this PCCL season. He has been helping out the team in skills development and game preparation.

“Malaking tulong. Malaking tulong,” said Coach Glen about the newest member of the Tamaraw’s coaching staff.

Game 2 of the PCCL Finals is set for today, Thursday at 3:30 P.M., December 10, 2009 at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.

“Sana, sana hindi magbago yung intensity ng mga bata kasi kahit we’re down, nandoon pa rin yung tiyaga ng mga bata. Sana tuloy-tuloy. Maganda itong character na nakikita ko sa kanila. Nag-mamature na sila, yun nga yung lagi kong sinasabi. After three years, ngayon ko nakikita yung dapat ko makita. Pero natutuwa ako, natutuwa ako. Syempre, one game pa lang yan. Hindi pa champion. So, we need one more. Pero, alam naman natin yung heart of a champion so, hindi ka pwede mag-relax. Anytime, babalik yan, Ateneo. Alam naman natin sila kung gaano kagaling maglaro. Mahirap. Mahirap silang kalaban kasi, disciplinado. Defense at offense, walang mga lapses halos yung team nila so, ang masasabi ko lang happy ako sa pagka-panalo. Sa mga bata natutuwa ako. Lalong lalo na si RR. Nag-step up,” added the former pro player.

“Kung sino ang mentally prepared dito sa finals na to, yun ang mananalo. Alam naman natin na babalik at babalik ang Ateneo. So, dapat kung gaano kami ka-focused ngayon, doblehin pa namin. Doblehin pa namin bukas. Doblehin pa namin yung effort na ginawa namin ngayon,” Coach Glen Capacio said in finality.

In the first game, the San Beda College Red Lions took home third place as they defeated the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags, 91-85 the Battle for Third. JR Tecson played his final game for the Red Lions and led them in scoring with 19 points. Team Captain Bambam Gamalinda also finished his final call of duty for the Mendiola outfit scoring 18 points and grabbing 6 rebounds.

On the other hand, NCAA Finals MVP Jimbo Aquino, the only graduating player on this year’s NCAA Champion San Sebastian team had a 20-point, 5 rebound performance to close out his collegiate career.

The scores:

First game:

SBC 91 – Tecson 19, Pascual 19, Gamalinda 18, Lanete 11, Solera 10, Dela Rosa 8, Villanueva 6, Lim 0, Soliman 0, Caram 0.

SSC-R 85 – Aquino 20, Sangalang 12, Najorda 10, Raymundo 10, Pascual 10, Abueva 8, Maconocido 7, Bulawan 4, Del Rio 3, Semira 1, Gatchalian E. 0.

Quarter scoring: 24-24, 44-41, 66-63, 91-85.

Second game:

FEU 75 – Garcia 22, Sanga 15, Cervantes 14, Noundou 12, Cawaling 10, Ramos 2, Guerrero 0, Exciminiano 0, Vinluan 0, Knuttel 0, Manalo 0.

ADMU 70 – Reyes 18, Salva 14, Sumalinog 11, Baclao 7, Golla 6, Buenafe 6, Salamat 6, Long 2, Chua 0, Austria 0, Monfort 0.

Quarter scoring: 12-24, 37-39, 54-60, 75-70.

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