UAAP: FEU slips past undermanned La Salle for fourth straight win

FEU Tamaraws’ Xyrus Torres. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Far Eastern University rolled to its fourth straight victory at the expense of shorthanded La Salle, 57-53, on Wednesday night in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Xyrus Torres tallied 12 points and Patrick Tchuente scored all of his five points in the fourth quarter punctuated by a putback inside the final minute as the Tamaraws secured another hard-earned win after dropping their first five games.

Cyrus Austria’s three pulled the Green Archers within three, but fumbled in their next possession with 4.3 seconds left, preventing La Salle to force extra time and sending them to their third straight setback.

“I feel for (La Salle) coach Derrick (Pumaren) and his boys. It’s difficult to play if you’re entire starting unit isn’t there. We’re lucky because of that situation that La Salle was in, but a win is a win and we’ll take it,’’ said FEU coach Olsen Racela.

MVP frontrunner Schonny Winston missed the game due to a strained calf and could also skip their epic rivalry against Ateneo on Saturday.

It’s a tough loss because we missed a lot of players, we need this win badly and we fell short in this game,” said Winston.

Power forward Mike Phillip sat it out after a bout with diarrhea, Raven Cortez sprained his ankle in practice, Ice Blanco was out due to fever and starting point guard Evan Nelle served his one-game suspension.

Scoreless for over six minutes late in the fourth period, the Green Archers just couldn’t find the rim before falling to 3-5 and tying the Adamson Falcons.

For the fourth straight game, the Tamaraws again struggled big time to earn the victory and had to grind it out by smothering the Archers down the stretch.

“No coach will feel comfortable with this kind of victory. But grind out wins help the team’s character and down the line, it helps you build confidence. We’ll try to build on this momentum that we have come Saturday against NU,’’ said Racela.

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The Scores

FEU 57 — Torres 12, Gonales 10, Sajonia 9, Anonuevo 6, Sleat 6, Bautista 6, Tchuente 5, Bagunu 2, Sandagon 1, Alforque 0, Tempra 0, Celzo 0.

LA SALLE 53 — Quiambao 12, Nwankwo 8, Austria 8, Estacio 8, Buensalida 5, Nonoy 4, Abadam 3, Macalalag 2, B. Phillips 2, Manuel 1, Escandor 0.

Quarters: 16-13, 33-27, 44-43, 57-53.