Key cog Orizu returns in FEU win over NU

Far Eastern University center Prince Orizu was ready to push his body to its utmost limit despite just a few days removed from his injury recovery.

Orizu played his first game back since suffering a high ankle sprain at the start of the second round in late October and he promised to give his all to help the Tamaraws break into the Final Four.

“I have to push myself because it’s really important for the team and me,” said Orizu after FEU’s 79-74 win over National University in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Orizu was the missing piece in FEU’s rotation during its four-game skid that brought the Tamaraws to as low as sixth in the standings during the middle part of the second round.

FEU has since recovered and owns a 7-6 card to tie University of the Philippines for the fourth seed.

Although Orizu was medically cleared in FEU’s last game in a 80-61 rout of University of the East but it was just in the Tamaraws’ match against the Bulldogs that he was slotted in.

Orizu played for nine minutes and had six points with five rebounds.

And it’s not just FEU’s chance at the Final Four that Orizu’s thinking about. He has never missed the Final Four and he has no plans of missing his first semifinals.

“I’ve never not been in the Final Four since I’ve played in the UAAP, and I don’t want to give that up now because of the ups and downs of my team and my injury too,” said Orizu. “I just take it as a motivation and push myself towards the game.”

“We just have to play together as a team, we have to trust each other, trust the coaches, and trust the system. Play like brothers and we got this.”