MANILA, Philippines -- Stung by his worst clutch performance last week, RR Garcia came back strong and so did the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws.

Garcia pumped in 23 points to lift the Tamaraws on the cusp of a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four when they made it two in a row against the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 77-62, on Thursday in the UAAP Season 73 men’s basketball at the Araneta Coliseum.

After going scoreless in the final period in their 66-80 loss to De La Salle Green Archers last week, Garcia, the leading MVP contender, made sure there would be no repeat of that collapse.

Garcia drained 5 of FEU’s 9 three-pointers, this time, to break NU’s zone defense. FEU moved up to 10-2, just one win away from clinching a twice-to-beat edge in the playoffs.

“Nakita ng mga ibang teams na nahirapan kami sa zone ng La Salle. ‘Yun talaga pinaghandaan namin,” FEU coach Glen Capacio said.

Garcia was at his best when the Bulldogs chased down the Tamaraws’ 12-point lead in a torrid third-quarter shootout.

After the Tamaraws opened the third canto with a 41-29 lead, the Bulldogs went on a 13-0 tear that put them on the lead momentarily, 42-41.

Garcia broke FEU’s silence with a three-pointer as he brought FEU back on top. NU’s Joseph Terso quickly leveled the count anew at 42-all but Garcia was far from over.

The former RP Youth standout answered back with a jumper then drilled in back-to-back three-pointers that sandwiched a Pipo Noundou short stab.

By the time Garcia’s hot hands simmered, the Tamaraws had rebuilt a 59-52 cushion going into the fourth period.

“He (Garcia) is the leader of this team. Ganun talaga dapat kapag nanganganib, siya yung bumubuhat sa amin,” Capacio said of Garcia’s cape performance.

With Garcia waxing hot, the Tamaraws regained their composure and the rest of the team took care of business in the fourth period.

“I’m happy that our zone defense worked in the fourth period. Napilitan kaming mag-zone kasi foul trouble kami. Kapag nag-man-to-man kami, panay ang tawag sa amin. Ang galing nila (NU) dumepensa, naka-pitong foul lang sa sila sa buong game,” Capacio added.

The seven fouls called on the Bulldogs were the least recorded since 2003.

In contrast, the Tamaraws were called for 23 fouls. But the Bulldogs shot themselves in the foot by shooting only 15-of-25 at the stripes.

The loss hurt the Bulldogs’ Final Four chances as they slid down to 5-7. Terso led NU’s losing effort with a career-high 18 points.

The scores:

FEU 77 – Garcia 23, Ramos 11, Noundou 11, Romeo 6, Sanga 6, Cawaling 5, Cruz 4, Bringas 4, Knuttel 4, Cervantes 3, Exciminiano 0.

NU 62 – Terso 18, Mbe 11, Ponferrada 10, Hermosisima 10, Baloran 8, Khobuntin 3, Tungcul 2, Ludovice 0, Javillonar 0, Singh 0, Malanday 0, Magat 0.

Quarters: 26-12, 39-29, 59-52, 77-62.