By Ivan Saldajeno
SAN JUAN, MM--The lone team not from the NCAA and the UAAP is gone from the FilOil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup
CEU's dominant run in the tournament came to a screeching halt as FEU booked the first semifinals berth with a 73-68 win at the start of the knockout phase at the FilOil Flying V Arena on Wednesday.
The Tamaraws outscored the Scorpions, 24-11, in the second quarter to open a 44-28 lead. The UAAP runners-up, however, had to weather a fourth quarter run by the reigning NAASCU champions to move to the next round on Friday.
Raymar Jose led FEU, which will face either Perpetual Help or La Salle in the semis, with 16 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and one block, while Mike Tolomia added 13 markers, four rebounds, five assists, and a steal.
Alfred Batino tallied 12 points and two rebounds for CEU, which saw Rodrigue Ebondo getting limited to only nine points and eight rebounds.
The Tamaraws will be without head coach Nash Racela, who is part of the Gilas Cadets' coaching staff in the Southeast Asian Games. Assistant Coach Eric Gonzales took over on Wednesday.
Box Scores:
FEU 73-Jose 16, Tolomia 13, Arong 9, Iñigo 7, Orizu 7, Pogoy 6, Comboy 6, Bienes 4, Dennison 2, Tamsi 2, Ri. Escoto 0, Trinidad 0, Liwag 0
CEU 68-Batino 12, Abundo 10, R. De Leon 9, Ebondo 9, Casiño 9, Celso 8, Arim 7, Vargas 3, Jeruta 1, Pagkatipunan 0, K. De Leon 0, Anunciacion 0, Opiso 0, Saber 0
Quarterscores: 20-17, 44-28, 61-46, 73-68
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