Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Far Eastern University held on to beat University of the East, 67-59, Sunday in the UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“I think it’s a test of character for us,” said FEU head coach Nash Racela as his squad improved to an even 2-2 record.
“Having to lose to Ateneo was rough for us. I’m just looking how we’ll be able to bounce back after that loss. We did that with Adamson, and I was confident that we can going to this game. Today, we’re able to do that.”
Monbert Arong paced the Tamaraws with 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Axel Iñigo got 12 markers and five boards.
But it was Raymar Jose who made things click for FEU, finishing with 11 points, 22 rebounds, and two assists in the win, as it played without Richard Escoto and Wendell Comboy, who are both nursing injuries.
“We’re happy because other players stepped up and executed our game plan correctly,” said Racela.
The Tamaraws looked well on their way to an easy win, holding a 55-46 lead after the third frame.
But the Red Warriors clamped down on defense and held FEU to three points for almost eight minutes in the fourth, and would further trim the lead to just three, 62-59, thanks to a Clark Derige triple with 1:26 remaining.
UE’s momentum, though, was halted after Will Bartolome was whistled for a disqualifying foul for elbowing Ron Dennison. Joe Trinidad nailed the freebies, and was followed up with a pair of drives from Arong to seal the deal in the clutch.
Mark Olayon topped for the still winless Red Warriors (0-3) with 12 points and six rebounds.
The scores:
FEU 67 – Arong 16, Inigo 12, Jose 11, Bayquin 6, Dennison 5, Trinidad 4, Holmqvist 4, Ebona 4, Tuffin 3, Orizu 2, Bienes 0.
UE 59 – Olayon 12, Derige 9, Bartolome 6, Palma 6, Charcos 5, Pasaol 5, Varilla 4, Manalang 3, Abanto 3, Batiller 3, De Leon 2, Acuno 1, Armenion 0, Larupay 0, Gagate 0
Quarters: 19-15, 42-32, 55-32, 67-59.