HE struggled with his shooting until the end of the tournament but Mike Tolomia never gave up and made key baskets to help Far Eastern University pull off the win in the title decider against University of Sto. Tomas.
Tolomia was 0 for 15 in Game Two and a disappointing 4 for 17 in Game Three but one of those shots made came in the endgame, a running shot that put FEU ahead, 63-60, on Sunday at the MOA Arena.
The Tamaraws went to win, 67-62, to bag their first UAAP title in decade.
[See FEU Tamaraws outduel UST in Game Three thriller, win first UAAP title in a decade]
“Hindi ko na iniisip ‘yun. Nagdasal na lang ako, sabi ko ‘Lord, kahit zero points ako sa Game Three, basta mag-champion kami, okay lang.’ Wala na akong pakialam sa shooting at sa scoring ko,” said Tolomia.
Despite the poor field goal shooting, Tolomia managed to find other ways to contribute, and finished with 13 points, two rebounds, and three assists.
He actually had a fine start with eight points in the first half.
[See Game Three hero Roger Pogoy says FEU senior players simply refused to lose]
Tolomia’s lay-up was huge with UST on the brink of winning the game when it took a 59-53 advantage.
“Hindi kami nawalan ng loob. Tiwala lang kami kay God,” said Tolomia, adding that he also drew strength from the fans.
“Nakaka-touch ’yung suportang binigay nila,” he added.
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