Belo's buzzer beater tows FEU to UAAP Finals

MANILA (UPDATE 1) - Mac Belo crushed Ateneo de Manila University's hopes of making it to the UAAP Finals by foiling the Blue Eagles with a go-ahead put-back to lead the Far Eastern University to a wild 76-74 finish during their Final Four collision on Saturday.

It was a thrilling finish for the Tamaraws who saw their lead wiped out in the fourth quarter when Kiefer Ravena and the Blue Eagles mounted a huge fightback in the fourth quarter.

FEU, which held a twice-to-beat advantage over Ateneo, was still able to tie the scores 74-all courtesy of Roger Pogoy's dagger three with over a minute remaining.

Then a mad scramble ensued after that as both squads tried to get the game-winner. In the end, it was Belo who was able to sink in the put-back that beat the final buzzer.

Belo, who also nailed the game-winner that lifted FEU over La Salle in last year's semifinals, ended up with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Pogoy, on the other hand, was the Tamaraws' top scorer with 16 markers

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''Right now we're just happy to be back to the finals,'' said FEU head coach Nash Racela, whose wards will tackle the winner between University of Santo Tomas and National University in the Finals.

Racela said his team had a tough time dealing with the Eagles especially when Ravena and emerging Eagle John Wong were connecting their shots..

''Ang hirap,'' he said. ''Our players did really a very, very good job defending them, challenging their shots, but they were hitting it. Mahirap, mahirap.''

Racela also praised Tolomia for stepping up in terms of assists after being tightly guarded by Ateneo for most part of the game.

''Kanina they were trapping him (Tolomia), but he was unselfish. Naging facilitator siya, doon nalibre si Roger at si Mac. For us, that's team work, that's team play,'' he said.

Despite the Eagles' smothering defense, Tolomia was still able to register 13 markers.

Belo, meanwhile, said he did not expect to hit the game-winner just like last year. He said that it just so happened that the ball bounced to his direction, allowing him to score the follow-up shot.

''Nagulat ako [na hindi nashoot ni Tolomia], nakakita ako ng opportunity for offense then finollow up ko na lang,'' said the FEU bigman.

After trailing the Eagles at the onset of the first period, 0-4, the Tamaraws unloaded an 11-0 run to seize an 11-4 lead.

Ravena stopped the bleeding for Ateneo, but FEU closed the quarter with a 19-12 advantage.

A triple by Mike Tolomia and back-to-back baskets by Alejandrino Inigo and Monbert Arong stretched the Tamaraws' lead to 26-17 midway the second canto.

Incursions by Wong and Von Pessumal managed to cut the deficit for the Blue Eagles but the Tamaraws still managed to maintain a six-point distance going to the payoff period, 56-50.

Ateneo eventually tied the score 64-all on Ravena's triple midway the fourth.

Belo muscled his way inside the paint to give the Tamaraws a 66-64 breather, but the Eagles refused to go away as Wong knocked down a trey to push Ateneo ahead, 67-66.

Ravena took charge to keep the lead for Ateneo, 74-71, but Roger Pogoy hit a dagger to knot the scores 74-all with 1:07 remaining.

It was a heart breaking defeat for Ravena who officially ended his tour of duty for Ateneo.

The King Eagle, who was also named as this season's Most Valuable Player, led Ateneo with 25 points.

Wong, the most promising kid in the Blue Eagles' lineup, ended up with 17.

Box scores:

FEU 76 — Pogoy 16, Belo 15, Tolomia 13, Inigo 9, Dennison 6, Jose 5, Ru. Escoto 4, Orizu 4, Arong 4, Tamsi 0.

Ateneo 74 — Ravena 25, Wong 17, Pessumal 15, Gotladera 8, Ikeh 4, Ma. Nieto 2, Go 2, Capacio 1, Babilonia 0, Black 0. A. Tolentino 0, Pingoy 0, V. Tolentino 0.

Quarterscores: 19-12, 38-32, 56-50, 76-74.

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