But the Tamaraws, who led by as many as 17 points in the first half, were made to sweat for their fifth victory as the Saints came to within a point, 79-78 late in the game.
FEU, which struggled with 20 turnovers and measly fastbreak points, closed out St. Clare with a 7-4 run.
“That’s always the goal. Every game, we need to learn something. The ultimate league is the UAAP, and we’re preparing for that kind of games,” said FEU coach Nash Racela.
Racela, who is on his second season of coaching the Tamaraws, took the opportunity to see who will step up for his squad in crunch time, especially when the UAAP opens in July.
“We learn from these close games. Achie [Iñigo] delivered for us in the end game. At least, we saw who are the players who could really play in the end game, who we can rely on when the game’s on the line.”
Anthony Hargrove led the Tamaraws with 16 points, six rebounds, and two blocks while Mark Belo and Iñigo added 15 and 10 markers, in that order.
Meanwhile, five players wound up in double digit points for St. Clare, which managed to claw back from a huge deficit but just lacked the finishing touches.
Jason Ibay finished with 18 points for the Saints, who skid to a 1-3 record, while Radoh Fabien shone with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
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