FEU Baby Tamaraws near outright UAAP finals berth

MANILA, Philippines—Far Eastern University-Diliman moved to within a win away from an automatic finals berth after defeating also-ran La Salle-Zobel, 71-56, Wednesday in the UAAP Season 75 juniors basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan city.

But it won’t be a walk in the park for the Baby Tamaraws to nail that rare “thrice-to-beat” incentive. Not with the defending champions National University Bullpups standing in their way.

NU and FEU will go at it on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Reigning MVP Jerie Pingoy played second fiddle this time, with Jose Domingo leading the Baby Tamaraws with 26 points.

Pingoy, though, still contributed 20 points, five rebounds and four assists for FEU, which remained unstoppable in 13 games.

NU, behind John Cauilan’s double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds, downed University of the East, 86-78, for its 12th win in 13 outings.

Meanwhile, Ateneo secured the last semifinals berth with an 86-64 rout of Adamson.

Antonio Asistio pumped in 18 points for the Blue Eaglets, who remained in fourth place with an 8-5 slate.

Nicko Bahia flirted with a double-double with 12 points and eight rebounds to lift University of Santo Tomas over UP Integrated School, 61-52.

The Tiger Cubs upped their win-loss record to 9-4 for third place.

The Junior Archers formally bowed out of contention with their fifth loss in 13 assignments, along with the Junior Maroons (3-10), the Baby Falcons (2-11), and the Junior Warriors (0-13).