Lousy overtime showing blows FEU chance to retain top 4 spot

MANILA, Philippines—Far Eastern University had a comeback to remember, but for all the wrong reasons.

The Tamaraws charged at National University in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament only to lose in overtime 85-79 Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

FEU head coach Olsen Racela was unhappy with how his team performed in the extra frame, especially just after Tamaraws outscored the Bulldogs 24-9 in the fourth quarter to force the game into overtime, 79-all.

“We were not as active and aggressive defensively in OT. We were passive,” said Racela in Filipino.

READ: UAAP: NU beats FEU anew for 2nd win 

NU struck first from the field in the extra frame with Dave Ildefonso and John Lloyd Clemente exchanging three-pointers giving the Bulldogs a 79-71 lead with 2:41 to play.

That eight-point lead was enough for the Bulldogs to weather the storm as they outscored FEU 14-8 in overtime to claim a 2-7 record.

“We had our chance, that’s what I told my players, we always had our chance in the end game but we blew it,” said Racela as the Tamaraws dropped out of the top half of the standings with a 4-5 record at the fifth spot.

A win could’ve maintained FEU’s place in the top four following a close 82-79 win over second seed University of the Philippines in its previous match.

“We have to learn from this and do it the harder way,” said Racela. “Our win against UP was put to waste because of this loss.”