Tolomia leads FEU to beat La Salle
The Far Eastern University Tamaraws outlasted the De La Salle Green Archers, 65-60, through the strong performance of Mike Tolomia in the playoff to secure a twice-to-beat incentive in the UAAP Season 77 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Tolomia had 19 points and eight rebounds to help the Tamaraws survive in the fourth quarter after the Archers almost pulled off a remarkable come back.
FEU almost controlled the entire game as it had the biggest 13 point advantage 27-14 in the second quarter. But the Archers were reluctant to give up too early as they marched in the third quarter through Almond Vosostros, who drilled in 10 points including two three-pointers and four-point play.
The Archers tied the game, 50-50, before Tolomia scored a triple that put the Tamaraws back in the lead, 53-50, in the third period.
La Salle captured the lead, 60-58, through the basket of Arnold Van Opstal with 3:23 left. But Tolomia never hesitated as he scored the pressured drive to the basket that put the Tamaraws on top, 61-60.
FEU’s Carl Cruz drained the basket through a fastbreak play that put the dagger, 63-60, with 21 ticks left. Vosostros missed the possible tying triple.
Mac Belo scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Tamaraws. On the other hand, Jason Perkins had 15 points and 13 rebounds for the DLSU.
FEU and La Salle will meet again in the Final Four showdown with the Tamaraws having the twice-to-beat advantage.
