INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines—University of the East led all the way in hacking out a vengeful 73-61 triumph over Far Eastern University on the penultimate day of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The win by the Warriors coached by Dindo Pumaren gave the De La Salle University Green Archers, handled by his elder brother Franz, the opportunity to secure the second semifinal bonus with a win over the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on Saturday.

UE opened the game with a 14-4 blast and led by as many as 16 points at 30-14 as it spoiled FEU’s bid to take the inside track in its two-way fight with La Salle for the No. 2 slot—and the twice-to-beat incentive—in the Final Four.

The Tamaraws dropped to third at 10-4 with La Salle moving up to second at 10-3 behind Ateneo’s leading 12-1 slate.

If the Archers fail to hurdle the Eagles on Saturday, the defending champions will battle the Tamaraws for the bonus in a playoff match next week, before clashing anew in the Final Four.

“I think we’re peaking at the right time,” said coach Dindo of his Warriors, last year’s runners-up, who concluded their elimination run with a fourth-best 9-5 record.

“It’s the first time we won three straight this season, we hope to bring this in the Final Four,” Pumaren added as the Warriors avenged their controversial 71-69 loss to the Tams in the first round.

Pari Llagas, who shot a career-high 20 points four days ago, pumped in 13 of his 17 points in the second half on top of seven rebounds and two blocks to lead the Warriors, who will be meeting the Eagles in the Final Four.

Earlier, Paul Gonzalgo took charge in the second half as Adamson University wrapped up its campaign with a 68-57 rout of the National University.

The scores:

First Game
ADAMSON 68—Agustin 18, Gonzalgo 15, Cañada 11, Nuyles 10, Colina 6, Galinato 5, Santos 3, Lapitan 0 Lozada 0, Alvarez 0, Yambot 0.
NU 57—Aguilar 14, Jahnke 7, Ponferrada 6, Catamora 6, Asoro 6, Garcia 5, Galapon 4, Tungcul 3, Magat 3, Dela Cruz 2, Luy 1, Batac 0.
Quarters: 20-8, 31-32, 58-40, 68-57

Second Game
UE 73—Llagas 17, Martinez 16, Lee 10, Zamar 9, Reyes 8, Thiele 6, Arellano 5, Espiritu 2, Noble 0, Lingganay 0, Bandaying 0.
FEU 61—Fernandez 16, Cervantes 10, Ramos 10, Cawaling 7, Barroca 7, Baracael 5, Adolfo 4, Sanga 2, Alisbo 0, Knuttel 0.
Quarters: 23-8, 36-24, 54-45, 73-61