FEU’s RJ Abarrientos saves the Tamaraws. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–RJ Abarrientos added yet another layer to his growing stature, sinking a game-winning triple with eight seconds remaining to help Far Eastern University sneak past Adamson University, 66-65, Thursday in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.
The two teams traded big shots down the stretch, with Falcons hotshot Jerom Lastimosa hitting a clutch triple with 20 seconds remaining to push the Tamaraws into a two-point hole.
Off a timeout, FEU worked the ball to Abarrientos, who drained the decisive response and hand FEU its third win in six games.
Adamson dropped to 1-5.
It was a sorry loss for the Falcons, who were up six late in that match before the Tamaraws struck back, with sharpshooter Xyrus Torres knocking down a big triple and two free throws and LJ Gonzales converting an Abarrientos feed into an easy layup.
In between Torres’ freebies and Gonzales’ basket, Adamson missed three straight attempts as FEU vaulted to a 63-62 lead—setting up endgame duel of huge treys.