Quick Fire: FEU Tamaraws uses hot start and depth to get past NU Bulldogs

(Photo Credit: Joaqui Flores, Tiebreaker Times)

FEU Tamaraws def. NU Bulldogs 90-83

Notable Players:

Arvin Tolentino, FEU (23 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal): Arvin continues to breakout, managing to score 23 points in just 21 minutes. He’s definitely looking healthy and it won't be a surprise if he produces the same amount of stats in future games.

Axel Inigo, FEU (12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists): Inigo looked a little more aggressive his usual game of facilitating, taking 11 attempts in this game. He managed to produce well with the minutes he was given.

Jasper Parker, FEU (9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists): Parker also had facilitating duties for the Tamaraws; though there is more emphasis on his all around play as he’s a good defender and sets the pace for the team.

JayJay Alejandro, NU (23 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals): Perhaps one of the only few bright spots for NU this game. JayJay made his all-around contribution for the Bulldogs as he is their main guy. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to get them the win.

Issa Gaye, NU (8 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks): Gaye had an average game, but he was still able to do his job in cleaning up the boards and defending the paint. Though he may be a little off in efficiency (2/9 FGs) he still has out-produced his matchup (Prince Orizu) in every statistical category.

Quick Analysis:

- FEU has had the tendency to start slow. This game was a change of scenery and was the story for the game. They got off to a good start and led the NU bulldogs by 7 after the 1st Quarter, and the lead ballooning to as much as 15. Adding up all the scores from 2nd to 4th Quarter, it would be a virtual tie at 68 points. FEU’s hot start was a big factor to them winning this game.

- The offense of both teams liked to run the ball and the pace of this game was high too. That explains much of their high scoring game. Both teams like to put pressure on the defense, which makes the offense “rush” more of their shots that actually setting up plays. Some, if not most possessions with pressure defense could lead to really open shots. I’ll explain a little of that for later.

- Once again, FEU had great production from the bench. FEU had 54 bench points, while NU only had 33. In fact, FEU has more bench points than  NU’s starters alone. One big factor is Arvin Tolentino who dropped almost half of their bench points with 23. He could obviously have a starting spot with that talent, but as long as FEU is winning with that production, he’s a super-sub or a great 6th man.

- If there’s one thing that killed NU, it was the amount of open shots that occurred in the game. FEU had 18 uncontested FGs, converting 10 of  them; while NU only made 3 of 8 uncontested attempts. FEU made more shots than the NU attempted. Missed defensive rotations were culprits for this, as well as the fast pace of the game. The continuous full court pressure causes double teams, thus leaving some players open.