FILE – FEU Tamaraws in the Filoil Preseason Cup. FILOIL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Far Eastern University shocked a red-hot La Salle in overtime, 71-67, to enter the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup finals on Thursday at San Juan Arena.
The Tamaraws proved to be the steadier team down the stretch and dealt the Green Archers their only loss in the tournament.
“I told them to play each possession, compete and whatever happens, happens. Just stay close and when it comes to the clutch, let’s take opportunities and that’s what happened,” said FEU head coach Olsen Racela, whose squad faces National University in the finals on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Xyrus Torres only had eight points but made the biggest basket of the game when he sank the go-ahead layup, 69-67, with under a minute left in overtime.
La Salle had a chance to tie or win the game but Evan Nelle fumbled the ball with five seconds remaining.
The Archers forced OT after Michael Phillips ran the length of the court to tie the game at 61.
Pat Tchuente led FEU with 19 points and eight rebounds while captain LJay Gonzales flirted with a triple-double of 13 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
Kevin Quiambao scored 13 points while CJ Austria and Phillips tallied 11 and 10, respectively for La Salle, which automatically finished in third place after the other losing semifinalist Adamson begged off from playing in the battle for third due to a prior commitment.