Rogie Domingo hits game winner to lift Baby Tams over Bullpups

MANILA, Philippines—Jerie Pingoy’s fouling out with a little over a minute left even came as a “blessing in disguise” for Far Eastern University-Diliman in game one.

Without its star on the floor, the Baby Tamaraws turned to Rogie Domingo to bail them out with a clutch triple for a 78-77 nipping over National University in the 75th UAAP juniors basketball finals.

Domingo stepped up in the absence of soon-to-be named MVP Pingoy and took the biggest shot of the game with 11.8 seconds left, giving FEU-D its final edge.

“It was a blessing in disguise that Pingoy fouled out because NU didn’t know who will shoot for us. They were lost in their game plan in the crucial part,” said head coach Mike Oliver.

Pingoy finished the game early with 16 points, four assists and five steals for the Baby Tamaraws, who managed to come back from seven points down in the final three minutes.

“The key to this win was our defense, and we never stopped believing,” said Oliver, whose squad was cheered on by an appreciative crowd at San Juan Arena.

The Baby Tamaraws have a chance to avenge last year’s runner-up finish as they go for the sweep on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bullpups, who was leading 69-63 with three and a half minutes left, tried to steal the win but they could not convert on their final possession.

Raphael Atangan collected 23 points and nine boards while Reggie Morido and Hubert Cani added 16 markers for NU, which is at the brink of losing their title.