Arong, Jose push FEU past Ateneo, force decider for Finals slot

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Raymar Jose had a 20-20 game and Monbert Arong hit the big shots as Far Eastern University came back to stun Ateneo, 62-61, and force a rubber match in the UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball Final Four Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Jose posted 20 points and 23 rebounds while Arong scored five of the Tamaraws’ last seven points in the final one minute and 25 seconds. He hit a go-ahead jumper, 57-55, and sank two free throws for a 59-55 cushion with 24.3 seconds remaining.

“I remember during the quarter break, myself telling the players not to break down,” said FEU head coach Nash Racela. “It was hard in the third quarter there were a lot of questionable calls, we were trying our best and we were close to giving in. We were committing mistakes after mistakes.”

“Fortunately for us, us coaches were able to tell the players not to break down. True enough, they accepted the challenge. The whole team was really ready to pitch in,” he added.

FEU and Ateneo dispute the last Finals slot on Wednesday, 4 p.m., at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ron Dennison sealed the game with free throws, 62-58, with 3.7 seconds left before Thirdy Ravena made a meaningless triple as time ran out.

Racela, whose team hasn’t beaten Ateneo in the eliminations, said the biggest challenge was to get one game against the Blue Eagles and FEU did just that with a balanced effort.

“Each and every person contributed to the cause, from the first to the 16th were able to contribute today,” said Racela. “I can’t remember one player who wasn’t able to contribute and that’s what we needed.”

Ateneo built a 49-39 lead midway through the fourth, but the defending champions fought back and tied the game at 55 with 1:53 to go.

Arong, who fired nine of his 13 points in the final frame, then scored five straight points capped by a free throw for a 60-55 edge with 11.4 ticks remaining.

Prince Orizu had a near double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds while Wendel Comboy contributed eight.

Aaron Black had 11 points to lead the Blue Eagles while Ravena filled the stat sheets with 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists.

The scores:

FEU 62 – Jose 20, Arong 13, Orizu 9, Comboy 8, Dennison 6, Inigo 4, Tuffin 2, Escoto 0, Trinidad 0, Ebona 0, Holmqvist 0, Nunag 0, Bayquin 0, Denila 0

ATENEO 61 – Black 11, Ravena 10, Asistio 9, Go 8, Verano 7, Ikeh 5, Nieto Mi 4, Nieto Ma 3, Wong 2, Porter 2, Tolentino 0

Quarterscores: 10-10,  23-20, 35-42, 62-61