Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Far Eastern University used a strong fourth quarter to clip Ateneo, 66-61, and extend its winning run to six games in the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tournament Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Mac Belo, Al Francis Tamsi and Achie Iñigo ignited a 7-0 run early in the fourth that gave the Tamaraws a 54-47 lead.
Kiefer Ravena kept the Blue Eagles fighting, but the Tams had Belo to match his clutch baskets before FEU sealed the game at the charity stripe, thanks to Russel Escoto, Mike Tolomia, and Roger Pogoy inside the final minute.
The win allowed the Tamaraws to momentarily take solo leadership at 7-1 while also sending Ateneo to its third straight defeat to fall to 4-4.
“There’s a lot to improve on, especially on the defensive end,” said FEU head coach Nash Racela, who kept his wards hungry despite their recent success.
Belo, the graduating forward, led a balanced attack for FEU with 12 points, five rebounds, and two assists, while Escoto got 10 markers and six boards.
Roger Pogoy also had 10 points and Raymar Jose hauled down 13 rebounds to go with his two points.
“We told them before this game that we’re at 6-1, but we had close games where we could’ve been 3-4,” said Racela. “We shouldn’t be really be happy where we are right now. We have to focus more on the things we can improve on.”
The Tamaraws completed an elimination round sweep of the Blue Eagles after scoring an 88-64 rout in the first round.
READ: FEU plays true to form with 24-point blowout of Ateneo
Ravena paced Ateneo with 15 points on 5-of-15 shooting from the field that went with five rebounds in a losing effort while Adrian Wong had a career-high 14 points.
University of Santo Tomas also guns for a 7-1 slate against De La Salle University later in the day.
The Scores:
FEU 66 – Belo 12, Ru. Escoto 10, Pogoy 10, Tolomia 8, Iñigo 7, Tamsi 6, Dennison 4, Arong 3, Jose 2, Orizu 2, Trinidad 2, Ri. Escoto 0, K. Holmqvist 0.
ATENEO 61 – Ravena 15, Wong 14, Pessumal 8, Gotladera 7, Black 6, Ikeh 6, Babilonia 3, A. Tolentino 2, Apacible 0, Cani 0, Capacio 0, Ma. Nieto 0, V. Tolentino 0.
Quarters: 19-19, 30-32, 47-47, 66-61.