BY CHRISTINE MONCADA

RALLYING around comebacking teammate Mac Baracael, the Tamaraws of Far Eastern University turned back the gritty Bulldogs of National University yesterday 64-60 and clinched the second Final Four berth in the 71st UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

Baracael, 23, given the go-signal by doctors to return to action after recovering from a shooting incident near the FEU campus last month, played for six minutes, scored on a jumper with three seconds left in the third quarter and grabbed one rebound. His presence, however, was what mattered to his teammates, who played inspired ball.

"I told him I needed him on the floor for even just 3-4 minutes and maybe contribute on defense and rebounding. The entire team is happy that he’s back," said FEU coach Glenn Capacio of his star forward who was shot in the back by a still unidentified gunman after practice last month.

In the other game, Maui Vil-lanueva scored on a tip-in just before the final buzzer to lift defending champion De La Salle University to an 81-79 win over University of Santo Tomas and into the semifinals.

With time fast running out, LA Revilla went for a lay-up but missed. Villanueva, however, was there to score the winning shot with just 0.3 ticks left.

The Archers scored their ninth in 12 games and remained tied for second with the Tamaraws.

"It was fortunate that coach (Pido) Jarencio called a timeout because it gave us the opportunity to diagram our play," said La Salle assistant coach Jack Santiago, filling in for coach Franz Pumaren who is in Iran calling the shots for the RP Youth team in the FIBA-Asia Junior Basketball Championships.

"The play was really designed for LA kasi siya ang pinakamabilis sa court but he could not finish. Good thing Maui was there," added Santiago.

JV Casio had 29 points, including four triples, to go with six rebounds, three assists and a steal while Peejay Barua chipped in 17 points. Rico Maierhofer had 16 markers and 16 rebounds.

Jervy Cruz finished with 28 points and 20 rebounds for the Growling Tigers, who dropped to 5-7.

Baracael, who spent sometime at the intensive care unit of the Mary Chiles Hospital, was allowed to work out with the team two weeks ago. He was given the go-signal to participate in full-contact practice last Monday.

He admitted he still hurts a bit but added he’s moving on.

"Masaya ako at nakabalik na para makatulong naman sa team. Naka-recover na ako pero hindi pa 100 percent. Nung ma-shoot ko ‘yung jumper ko feeling ko rookie ako ulit," said Baracael.

Inspired by the presence of their teammate, the Tamaraws worked hard to give Baracael a winning welcome and carried FEU to its ninth win in 12 games, joining Ateneo in the next round.

Mark Barroca led FEU’s balanced attack with 22 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals while Reil Cervantes had 12 points and eight rebounds.