Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — As much as Mike Tolomia carried most of the load, FEU Tamaraws coach Nash Racela said Sunday’s (September 20) victory over UP Fighting Maroons was a result of his team’s collective effort.
Tolomia fired 21 points to lead FEU to its third win in four outings, joining erstwhile leaders UST Growling Tigers and Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Read: FEU banks on strong fourth quarter to beat UP
“We actually depended on the other guys,” said Racela in a phone interview with CNN Philippines. “We don’t want to be known as a ‘Tolomia or (Mac) Belo’ team.”
Racela added having players not named Tolomia or Belo who were ready to heed his call keyed their win.
It was, in fact, evident in the fourth quarter where the Tamaraws launched a 12-0 run in a five-minute stretch to turn a 53-49 lead into a 65-49 advantage.
The Maroons folded and failed to recover from there, falling to a 2-2 card following an impressive 2-0 start.
“I think towards the end of the game, especially in the fourth quarter, that made the difference. Mas fresh yung players namin as opposed to the players of UP,” said Racela.
FEU will ride the crest of a back-to-back victories when it battles UE Red Warriors on Wednesday (September 23), 2 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.
