For a team that prides itself team defense, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws have found someone whom they can also rely on offense.
And that’s sophomore wingmen Alec Stockton, who provided the needed plays that allowed the Tamaraws to keep their game close with the La Salle Green Archers before posting a 68-61 triumph last Sunday.
The Tams will get to see how the 6’2” Stockton will fare when they meet the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers at 2 p.m. today in the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.
“Alec’s role is to provide energy off the bench. And he’s one of the guys we can rely on defense. But against La Salle, the spark came from his offense,” said FEU coach Olsen Racela.
Stockton only had nine points in their game with the Green Archers.
But his basket in the last 7:17 of the period kept FEU in the thick of the fight with La Salle as the score was tied at 50-all.
Stockton, a Fil-Am cager from Queens, New York, will again be around to lend a hand to main men Arvin Tolentino, Ken Tuffin and Axel Inigo in their bid to claim their second straight win.
The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons will seek to add a second win to their record when they meet the defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles at 4 p.m.
The Maroons, who took charge under the boards in the third period and outplayed the University of the East Warriors, 87-58, hope to get more out of Juan Gomez de Liano and Nigerian big man Akhuetie Bright.
De Liano led with 16 points and he took turns under the boards with Bright, who had 15 points and 16 rebounds.
The Blue Eagles will try to pick themselves up from a 70-74 setback they suffered in the hands of the Adamson Falcons.