FAR EASTERN University Tamaraws showed it is ready for the upcoming UAAP basketball wars. It ruled the Mayor Jesry T. Palmares National Collegiate Invitational Tournament recently at the City of Passi Arena in Passi City, Iloilo.
Tamaraws swept their three elimination round matches against National University Bulldogs (85-64), University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars (67-56) and University of the Philippines Maroons (73-71) to reach the championship round.
The Tamaraws, which is backed by Toto Tia Ten Trucking, clinched the crown with a 67-62 win over the Fighting Maroons behind the offensive outbursts of Barkley Ebona, Arvin Tolentino, Wendelino Comboy, Richard Escoto and Kenneth Tuffin.
From a 28-all score at the half, the Tamaraws had a strong start in the third quarter behind Tolentino, Comboy and Tuffin for a 47-38 advantage. Maroons leaned Ricci Rivero to come to within 55-58 with over two minutes in the final quarter.
The Tamaraws responded with a three-pointer to create distance at 61-58. The Maroons went for its last push behind Bright Akhuetie and Juan Gomez de Liano to trim the deficit to 62-65 but two free throws by Tamaraws sealed their championship.
“We are very grateful sa Passi City LGU for inviting us again,” said Tamaraws assistant coach Ryan Betia. “Malaking tulong ito sa aming preparation sa UAAP Season 81 later this year.”
Bulldogs, meanwhile, salvaged t he third place trophy following a close 86-83 victory over the upset conscious Jaguars. John Lloyd Clemente finished with 18 points for the Bulldogs.
The four-day pocket tournament, which was also spiced up by the free basketball clinic for the children of Passi City, was done in partnership of the Passi City local government, Mayor Jesry Palmares and Ilonggo sportsman Rodolfo Villaruz.
GOV’T OFFICIAL SCOLDED IN PACQUIAO FIGHT
A government official was scolded several times while watching the match between Manny Pacquiao and Lucas Matthysse last Sunday at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
A source told the Buzzer Beater that the official was scolded by the person seated behind him for his constant standing and jumping everytime Pacquiao landed a punch.
“Kakaiba rin naman kasing manood si government official, akala mo siya ‘yung boksingero. Kapag bumibigwas si Pacquiao nakikibigwas rin siya at kung naka-knockdown naman napapatayo siya,” said the source.
“Ang tagal pa naman niya kung nakatayo. Ilang beses na siyang nasigawan ng nasa likod niya eh pero tuloy pa rin siya sa pagtayo. Napasigaw na raw ‘yung nasa likod niya at gusting-gusto na siya batuhin,” added the source.
Aside from that said incident, the government official also reportedly drew the ire of some members of Team Pacquiao for pushing around people to move closer to Pacquiao, where he was seen on TV.
“Inis na inis rin sa kanya ‘yung mga taga-Team Pacquiao kasi talagang ipinagsisiksikan kung hindi man pinagtutulakan niya ‘yung mga ibang tao para makapwesto malapit kay Manny,” revealed the source.
The source added: “Maswerte lang siya at may katungkulan siya ngayon kung hindi may kalalagyan talaga siya. Kung totoo ngang may balak siya sa 2019 bawas-bawasan niya kapapelan niya dahil lalong maiinis sa kanya ang mga tao.”/PN
