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It’s Ateneo vs UE in UAAP Finals
By JONAS TERRADO, Manila Bulletin
University of the East trailed for most part of the game, but when the opportunity presented itself, the Warriors decisively
grabbed it to gain another shot at UAAP glory.
Denied the chance to end a long title drought three years ago, the Warriors held the Far Eastern University Tamaraws
scoreless in the last three minutes while coming through with four crucial free throws to eke out a thrilling 78-72 win in their
knockout match for in the UAAP basketball tournament on Thursday at the Araneta Coiseum.
The Warriors, who were swept by La Salle in the finals after completing a 14-game sweep of the elims, fell behind by 12
points several times but when the going got tough, their veterans stepped up and delivered the key baskets that earned
them a return trip to the finals.
With the win – their first in the Final Four in 11 years – the Warriors, inspired by the presence of former UE stars, led by
James Yap and Boyzie Zamar, earned the right to face defending champion Ateneo in a best-of-three championship
starting on Sunday.
The Eagles enjoy a 2-0 advantage over the Warriors in their personal duel this season but with the way the Recto-based
squad is playing right now, they have to prepare real hard this time keep their crown.
FEU had a twice-to-beat advantage over UE at the start their Final Four series but that was overcame by the Warriors – big
thanks to gutsy performances of Paul Lee, Elmer Espiritu, Val Acuna, Rudy Linganay and bull-strong Pari Llagas.
Llagas gave UE the lead off an assist from Espiritu for a 72-70 lead, 3:55 left, before Lee hit two foul shots off an
unsportsmanlike foul from Reil Cervantes for a four-point edge.
After first-year guard RR Garcia cut the lead, the Tamaraws had the chance to tie the game at 74-all but Aldrech Ramos'
potential basket was blocked by Espiritu with two minutes left.
FEU mentor Glenn Capacio contested the call believing that Espiritu's block should have been a goal-tending. But the non-
call turned things around in UE’s favor.
Then suddenly, the Tamaraws suffered a power outage – missing their next four attempts, including two from Pipo
Noundou. Paul Sanga, who had 22 points the last time, was a huge letdown this time as he was held to just two points.
Lee, who had 26 points in the team's 84-74 win last Saturday, sealed the win by sinking two more free throws with 17 ticks
left. He finished with 17 points this time aside from grabbing four rebounds and dishing three assists. He was ably
supported by Acuna who had 17.
Llagas made 16 points and 11 rebounds while Lingganay was the biggest revelation with 15, including the last five that tied
the game at 68-all with 6:14 remaining.
UE coach Lawrence Chongson, who was vilified early in the elims after the team’s poor start, cried unabashedly after the
game.
"Sinabi ko lang talaga na this is it, game of our lives na'to. So yung 'Warrior
will' lang talaga ang nagpanalo sa amin," said Chongson.
The scores
UE 78 – Lee 17, Acuna 17, Llagas 16, Lingganay 15, Espiritu 6, Bandaying 5, Acibar 2, Zamar 0, Tagarda 0, Reyes 0, Ayala 0.
FEU 72 – Cawaling 19, Noundou 16, Garcia 13, Cervantes 12, Ramos 10, Sanga 2, Tanuan 0, Manalo 0, Eguilos 0, Caluag
0.
Quarters: 19-27; 51-45; 61-64; 78-72.
By JONAS TERRADO, Manila Bulletin
University of the East trailed for most part of the game, but when the opportunity presented itself, the Warriors decisively
grabbed it to gain another shot at UAAP glory.
Denied the chance to end a long title drought three years ago, the Warriors held the Far Eastern University Tamaraws
scoreless in the last three minutes while coming through with four crucial free throws to eke out a thrilling 78-72 win in their
knockout match for in the UAAP basketball tournament on Thursday at the Araneta Coiseum.
The Warriors, who were swept by La Salle in the finals after completing a 14-game sweep of the elims, fell behind by 12
points several times but when the going got tough, their veterans stepped up and delivered the key baskets that earned
them a return trip to the finals.
With the win – their first in the Final Four in 11 years – the Warriors, inspired by the presence of former UE stars, led by
James Yap and Boyzie Zamar, earned the right to face defending champion Ateneo in a best-of-three championship
starting on Sunday.
The Eagles enjoy a 2-0 advantage over the Warriors in their personal duel this season but with the way the Recto-based
squad is playing right now, they have to prepare real hard this time keep their crown.
FEU had a twice-to-beat advantage over UE at the start their Final Four series but that was overcame by the Warriors – big
thanks to gutsy performances of Paul Lee, Elmer Espiritu, Val Acuna, Rudy Linganay and bull-strong Pari Llagas.
Llagas gave UE the lead off an assist from Espiritu for a 72-70 lead, 3:55 left, before Lee hit two foul shots off an
unsportsmanlike foul from Reil Cervantes for a four-point edge.
After first-year guard RR Garcia cut the lead, the Tamaraws had the chance to tie the game at 74-all but Aldrech Ramos'
potential basket was blocked by Espiritu with two minutes left.
FEU mentor Glenn Capacio contested the call believing that Espiritu's block should have been a goal-tending. But the non-
call turned things around in UE’s favor.
Then suddenly, the Tamaraws suffered a power outage – missing their next four attempts, including two from Pipo
Noundou. Paul Sanga, who had 22 points the last time, was a huge letdown this time as he was held to just two points.
Lee, who had 26 points in the team's 84-74 win last Saturday, sealed the win by sinking two more free throws with 17 ticks
left. He finished with 17 points this time aside from grabbing four rebounds and dishing three assists. He was ably
supported by Acuna who had 17.
Llagas made 16 points and 11 rebounds while Lingganay was the biggest revelation with 15, including the last five that tied
the game at 68-all with 6:14 remaining.
UE coach Lawrence Chongson, who was vilified early in the elims after the team’s poor start, cried unabashedly after the
game.
"Sinabi ko lang talaga na this is it, game of our lives na'to. So yung 'Warrior
will' lang talaga ang nagpanalo sa amin," said Chongson.
The scores
UE 78 – Lee 17, Acuna 17, Llagas 16, Lingganay 15, Espiritu 6, Bandaying 5, Acibar 2, Zamar 0, Tagarda 0, Reyes 0, Ayala 0.
FEU 72 – Cawaling 19, Noundou 16, Garcia 13, Cervantes 12, Ramos 10, Sanga 2, Tanuan 0, Manalo 0, Eguilos 0, Caluag
0.
Quarters: 19-27; 51-45; 61-64; 78-72.