By Vivem Soriano
Eagle News Service
The Far Eastern University Tamaraws prevented a rocky detour in their quest for a Final Four stint with a resounding 71-54 victory over the Adamson Falcons at the Araneta Coliseum.
With the win, FEU secures the fourth and only remaining spot in the Final Four, sending the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons crashing out of contention despite their win earlier over the National University Bulldogs. A loss would have sent FEU to a do-or-die playoff game for the last Final Four spot against UP.
Arvin Tolentino led the Tamaraw charge with 14 points. Richard Escoto scored 11 markers while big man Prince Orizu added 10 points.
Robbie Manalang soared for the Falcons with 15 points, with Papi Sarr adding 10 points.
Despite the loss, Adamson already secured the 3rd spot in the standings with a 9-5 record.
The only remaining question now is who will be playing who in the Final Four. That will be determined tomorrow by the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry game.
If Ateneo wins over arch-rivals La Salle, the Ateneo Blue Eagles will earn an outright finals spot as a reward for winning all their elimination games. Adamson will battle FEU once again. The winner of that matchup will then face a La Salle squad with a twice-to-beat advantage due to them finishing second in the standings even with a potential loss to Ateneo.
However, if La Salle deals Ateneo their first loss tomorrow, it will battle Adamson with a twice-to-beat advantage. Ateneo meanwhile will also have a twice-to-beat advantage against the FEU Tamaraws.
