Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Far Eastern University ended a three-game losing streak after fending off University of the East, 64-61, amid a tight battle for the twice-to-beat berth in the UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday.
The Tamaraws finished the eliminations with a 9-5 record while the eliminated Red Warriors fell to 3-11.
The defending champions have momentarily taken hold of the third spot, but Adamson (8-5) and Ateneo (9-4) are scheduled to battle in the second game time to help determine who gets the no. 2 spot in the Final 4.
UE, meanwhile, finished its eliminations as the seventh seed courtesy of a better quotient over University of Santo Tomas, which also has a 3-11 slate.
Tamaraws head coach Nash Racela said making it to the Final 4 was contrary to what other naysayers expected of FEU in Season 79.
“Parang nakalimutan na eh… and all of a sudden we made it to the Final Four, and I’m happy we’re in the Final Four,” said Racela, who lost stars Mike Tolomia, Roger Pogoy, Russell Escoto, and Mac Belo to graduation.
“We just wanted to win before we go to the playoffs, it was a struggle mentally for the players but at least gumaganda na adversity conscience, we are learning to break through.”
UE had a 59-54 lead with less than three minutes left in the game after Bonbon Batiller made a jumper over the hulking Prince Orizu, but the defending champions made a spirited 9-0 to take a 63-59 buffer.
It was Wendell Comboy who would take the spotlight first, tying the game at 59-59 at the 1:36 mark with an open jumper then Axel Iñigo hit the dagger triple with 25 seconds left to cap off the run.
Iñigo lead Tamaraws in scoring with 16 points while Raymar Jose had an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double.
Graduating Paul Varilla led UE with 13 points.