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By: Theodore P. Jurado, Journal Online
THE Warriors of University of the East are not just about to roll over and die in the UAAP men’s Final Four.
Paul Lee exploded for 26 points, including 18 from three-point range, as the third seeded Warriors pulled off an 84-74 win
over the Mark Barroca-less Far Eastern University Tamaraws and forged a sudden-death in their semifinal showdown at
the Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
Without Barroca, Lee went berserk on the offensive end especially in the final period when he unloaded four three-pointers
in a searing 16-5 run in the final six minutes that helped the Warriors erased a 68-69 deficit.
The do-or-die match between the two teams for the right to make it to the best-of-three Finals is set on Thursday also at the
Big Dome, with FEU again certain to play minus their chief point guard.
“He (Barroca) has already played his last game for FEU,” said Molina.
Action in the Final Four meanwhile, resumes today with defending champion and top seed Ateneo gunning for a return stint
in the finals against fourth-ranked University of Santo Tomas at 3:30 p.m.
“Nag-focus ako sa shooting ko. Masaya ako at maganda ang naging shooting ko, determinado kaming ma-break ang jinx
ng UE sa FEU kapag dumarating ang Final Four,” said Lee, a former San Sebastian Staglet standout.
The win marked the first time the Red Warriors pulled thru against the Tamaraws in the semifinals since the Final Four
format was institutionalized in 1994.
Pari Llagas collected 19 points and 12 rebounds and Val Acuña chipped in 17 for UE, which extended their winning run to
seven overall.
“The series is still even, we just tied the series. Masyadong malayo pa. We will just keep on pushing,” said Red Warriors
mentor Lawrence Chongson.
Paul Sanga finished with 22 points while rookie guard RR Garcia added 16 and Aldrech Ramos had 12 points and 10
rebounds for FEU.
“Maganda ang depensa namin kay Lee sa first half. Sa second half talagang kumawala siya sa opensa,” admitted
Tamaraws coach Glenn Capacio.
“Malaking bagay sa amin na wala si Barroca. Tapos nagka-pulled hamstring pa si (reserve guard) Jens Knuttel sa second
quarter kaya butas kami sa backcourt,” he added.
Meanwhile, defending champion FEU and Adamson forged a women’s championship showdown after beating their
separate semifinals foes at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Allana Lim collected a season-high 35 points and 11 rebounds as the Lady Tamaraws edged out UST, 74-71, while Anna
Buendia and Amby Almazan combined for 24 markers in the Lady Falcons’ 55-50 victory over La Salle.
Gywne Capacio shot 32 points as La Salle-Zobel entered the juniors finals by trashing FEU, 86-69.
Kiefer Ravena had 27 points as titleholder Ateneo forced a rubber match in their Final Four duel with UST after a 72-66 win
The scores
UE (84) -- Lee 26, Llagas 19, Acuña 17, Espiritu 8, Reyes 6, Lingganay 4, Ayala 3, Tagarda 1, Zamar 0, Acibar 0.
FEU (74) -- Sanga 22, Garcia 16, Ramos 12, Cervantes 8, Cawaling 5, Noundou 5, Manalo 4, Knuttel 2, Caluag 0, Eguilos
0.
Quarterscores: 25-18; 37-38; 62-55; 84-74.
THE Warriors of University of the East are not just about to roll over and die in the UAAP men’s Final Four.
Paul Lee exploded for 26 points, including 18 from three-point range, as the third seeded Warriors pulled off an 84-74 win
over the Mark Barroca-less Far Eastern University Tamaraws and forged a sudden-death in their semifinal showdown at
the Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
Without Barroca, Lee went berserk on the offensive end especially in the final period when he unloaded four three-pointers
in a searing 16-5 run in the final six minutes that helped the Warriors erased a 68-69 deficit.
The do-or-die match between the two teams for the right to make it to the best-of-three Finals is set on Thursday also at the
Big Dome, with FEU again certain to play minus their chief point guard.
- In a post-game statement, officials of the Morayta-based school
announced the wily 5-foot-8 Barroca will no longer suit up for the
Tamaraws for the rest of the 72nd season.
- Although FEU management refused to elaborate on its
decision, the move to ban Barroca only further flamed up earlier
allegations that game-fixing and point-shaving cost the tough
playmaker his spot with the Tamaraws.
- “We stand by our decision, he (Barroca) won’t play for the rest of
the season. He’s with Smart Gilas (national developmental
team) right now. It’s very sad, but we will do what is right for the
university,” said FEU team manager and current UAAP
president Anton Montinola.
- FEU athletic director Mark Molina pointed out that Barroca’s
teammates themselves have expressed dissatisfaction on the
way he played and decided instead to play without the
Zamboanga native, who led the team in scoring with 12.7 points
per game in the eliminations.
“He (Barroca) has already played his last game for FEU,” said Molina.
Action in the Final Four meanwhile, resumes today with defending champion and top seed Ateneo gunning for a return stint
in the finals against fourth-ranked University of Santo Tomas at 3:30 p.m.
“Nag-focus ako sa shooting ko. Masaya ako at maganda ang naging shooting ko, determinado kaming ma-break ang jinx
ng UE sa FEU kapag dumarating ang Final Four,” said Lee, a former San Sebastian Staglet standout.
The win marked the first time the Red Warriors pulled thru against the Tamaraws in the semifinals since the Final Four
format was institutionalized in 1994.
Pari Llagas collected 19 points and 12 rebounds and Val Acuña chipped in 17 for UE, which extended their winning run to
seven overall.
“The series is still even, we just tied the series. Masyadong malayo pa. We will just keep on pushing,” said Red Warriors
mentor Lawrence Chongson.
Paul Sanga finished with 22 points while rookie guard RR Garcia added 16 and Aldrech Ramos had 12 points and 10
rebounds for FEU.
“Maganda ang depensa namin kay Lee sa first half. Sa second half talagang kumawala siya sa opensa,” admitted
Tamaraws coach Glenn Capacio.
“Malaking bagay sa amin na wala si Barroca. Tapos nagka-pulled hamstring pa si (reserve guard) Jens Knuttel sa second
quarter kaya butas kami sa backcourt,” he added.
Meanwhile, defending champion FEU and Adamson forged a women’s championship showdown after beating their
separate semifinals foes at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Allana Lim collected a season-high 35 points and 11 rebounds as the Lady Tamaraws edged out UST, 74-71, while Anna
Buendia and Amby Almazan combined for 24 markers in the Lady Falcons’ 55-50 victory over La Salle.
Gywne Capacio shot 32 points as La Salle-Zobel entered the juniors finals by trashing FEU, 86-69.
Kiefer Ravena had 27 points as titleholder Ateneo forced a rubber match in their Final Four duel with UST after a 72-66 win
The scores
UE (84) -- Lee 26, Llagas 19, Acuña 17, Espiritu 8, Reyes 6, Lingganay 4, Ayala 3, Tagarda 1, Zamar 0, Acibar 0.
FEU (74) -- Sanga 22, Garcia 16, Ramos 12, Cervantes 8, Cawaling 5, Noundou 5, Manalo 4, Knuttel 2, Caluag 0, Eguilos
0.
Quarterscores: 25-18; 37-38; 62-55; 84-74.
