Tamaraws gore stags, rise to 7-1

New recruit RJ Ramirez sustained his solid play as Far Eastern U turned back San Sebastian, 84-80, on Monday for its seventh win in eight games in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup.

Ramirez, the Filipino-Canadian raised in Toronto, fired 18 points, including the Tamaraws’ last seven, as FEU completed its fightback from nine points down in the last 3:38 of the game.

The Stags led for majority of the game and looked like they were cruising at 80-71, before baskets by Richard Escoto and Arvin Tolentino cut the deficit to three points.

Ramirez then took over with seven straight points to put away the Stags, who dropped to 6-2.

FEU actually stayed in the thick of the fight with its hot shooting, nailing 15 triples.

Meanwhile, Arellano U overcame University of the Philippines, 73-68, while Lyceum blasted University of Santo Tomas, 127-88.

Already out of the running for a place in the knockout round, the Chiefs went out in style, scoring a fourth straight victory for an even 4-4 card.

The loss was a huge blow to the Maroons, who need to beat National U on Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals.

Arellano’s consolation was complicating the life of UP which now needs to defeat National University this Wednesday to advance to the quarterfinals stage.

The Fighting Maroons started hot, winning their first three matches. They have since gone 1-3 in their last four matches.