Tamaraws, Archers barge into semis

By Jonas Terrado - Manila Bulletin - August 29, 2008

Baracael returns to FEU bench

Inspired by the presence of Mac Baracael, whose dream of playing in the PBA nearly turned into a nightmare a month ago, Far Eastern University repulsed the spirited challenge of National University, 64-60, yesterday to secure a semifinals berth in the UAAP basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

Though the 6-foot-3 Baracael was still out of rhythm as evident by his poor timing and balance, FEU coach Glenn Capacio gave him a passing grade.

In the other game, defending champion La Salle also gained a semis berth by downing University of Santo Tomas, 81-79.

With their wins, La Salle and FEU joined league-leading Ateneo (11-1) in the Final Four.
Freshman Maui Villanueva starred for La Salle’s victory when he scored on a follow-up as time expired.

La Salle’s Houdini act despite the absence of head coach Franz Pumaren put UST’s Final Four bid in peril.

The Tigers, who fell to 5-7, rallied mightily to tie the game at 79-79 on the effort of seldom-used Milan Vargas. But the Archers still got the victory as rookie LA Revilla drove hard to the basket in a bid to settle the game. Though he missed his shot, Villanueva was there to follow it up to the cheers of the a huge green and white supporters.

"Actually we don’t have any timeouts left pero nung nag timeout sila, nakapag-diagram pa kami ng play," said La Salle interim coach Jack Santiago. "Talagang play namin was for LA kasi five seconds na lang at siya yung pinakamabilis. Good thing na-beat niya yung defense ng UST."

Pumaren is currently in Iran, calling the shots for the RP Youth Team in the FIBA Asia Youth Championships.

"I had a sleepless night, siguro mga 4 a.m. na ako nakakatulog," said Santiago. "During games, may mga konting adjustments, mostly on defense, same scenario pa din as when coach Franz was here."

JV Casio led La Salle with 29 points, 18 coming in the final canto as the Archers broke a 67-67 tie by hitting five straight points that made it a 74-69 contest with 2:58 left.

Peejay Barua added 17 markers while Rico Maierhofer tallied a double-double with 16 points and 16 rebounds before fouling out.

In the first game, Baracael scored only two points in his comeback from a near-fatal shooting incident that remains unsolved until this time but was upbeat about his playing condition.

"Happy ako kasi nakabalik na ako at matutulungan ko na ang team at makakapaglaro, second chance na ito sa akin," said Baracael, who was fielded in the game with only two minutes and 16 seconds left in the first quarter.

He was fielded back in the third where his jumper gave the Tamaraws a 56-48 lead.

"Siguro gusto ko lang ma-feel niya yung laro ulit pero alam ko naman na hindi pa siya 100 percent so ang hiningi ko lang sa kanya ay 2 to 3 minutes. Ayos na sakin basta maka-contribute siya sa defense at sa rebounding," Capacio said of Baracael.

Baracael, who suffered a fractured rib because of the incident, was cleared by doctors to practice with the team two weeks ago but got involved in his first full contact practice only last Monday.

Inspired by the presence of their leader, the Tamaraws, behind Mark Barroca, Aldrech Ramos and Benedict Fernandez, overcame a faltering finish to notch their 9th win in 12 starts, a victory that propelled them to the semis for the first time since Arwind Santos led the Tamaraws to their 19th overall championship in 2005.

Barroca, who scored 26 points last Saturday against De La Salle, led FEU anew with 22 points, 15 of which came in the first half, while Reil Cervantes put in 12 points.

Ramos and Fernandez combined for only 15 points this time but hit crucial baskets down the stretch that stopped NU’s spirited challenge.

Trailing by eight entering the final canto, the Bulldogs unleashed a blistering 10-0 blast as Chris Catamora scored off a pass by Raymund Aguilar that gave NU a 58-56 lead with 4:54 left in the game.

But FEU reclaimed the lead as Ramos scored on a tough lay-in with 2:21 to go, 62-60, before coming up with several defensive plays to frustrate the Bulldogs this time around.

"Parang nabunutan ako ng tinik," said Capacio. "Mabuti na lang na-execute namin ang mga plays namin down the stretch. We’re really happy that we are in the Final Four,"

Jonathan Jahnke led NU with 15 points while Aguilar made 10 points, eight rebounds and three assists but suffered its fourth straight setback to fall down into the cellar with Adamson at 2-10.