UAAP: FEU eliminates Adamson from Final 4 race, bolsters semis bid

MANILA, Philippines—Far Eastern University boosted its bid for the Final Four after a tough 63-60 win over Adamson  in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tamaraws improved to 7-6 record to stay at fourth and eliminated the Soaring Falcons from the Final Four race with the latter dropping to 4-8.

Adamson, though, didn’t bow out without a fight, clawing back from a 57-45 deficit early in the fourth to get to within two, 62-60, with Lenda Douanga capping off a 15-5 run with less than two minutes to play.

The Tamaraws then relied on their defense to keep distance and forcing Jerom Lastimosa to miss a difficult three-pointer as time expired.

“We’re happy with our seventh win but we have really no reason to celebrate,” said FEU head coach Olsen Racela, who looked immediately to the team’s preparations for its final elimination round game against University of the East.

Wendell Comboy, LJ Gonzales, and Ken Tuffin all had 11 points to lead the Tamaraws while Pat Tchuente held the fort underneath with four points, 16 rebounds, and two blocks.

Douanga had 10 points and 22 rebounds to lead the Soaring Falcons who will miss the Final Four for the first time in three years.