MANILA – Jorick Bautista carried the scoring cudgels for Far Eastern University Tamaraws in overtime to defeat Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 66-65, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After failing to protect their five-point lead late in the fourth quarter, the Tamaraws opened the extension period with consecutive baskets from Bautista and Royce Alforque to take a 64-59 advantage.
The Blue Eagles managed to cut the deficit to 62-64 on a three-pointer by Kris Porter, but two free throws from Mohammed Konateh gave the Tamaraws a 66-62 advantage with six seconds remaining.
Bautista finished the game with 18 points, with six coming in the extension period, Alforque added 12 markers, while Konateh, Janrey Pasaol, and Veejay Pre ended with 10 each as the Tamaraws improved to a 1-5 win-loss slate.
“You’re starting to see our guys getting comfortable and comfortable. I truly believe when the second half of the season comes, we’re gonna be a problem,” said Tamaraws head coach Sean Chambers.
Chris Koon finished with 12 points, including three three-point conversions, while Porter and Jared Bahay added 11 markers apiece as the Blue Eagles dropped to a 1-4 win-loss card.
Meanwhile, defending champions De La Salle University Green Archers (5-1) quickly recovered from a sloppy start to dominate University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers (3-2), 88-67.
After falling behind by 10 points, 8-18, early in the game, the Green Archers responded with a run behind Kevin Quiambao and Michael Philips in the second frame to establish a 36-30 halftime lead.
The Green Archers took advantage of the Growling Tigers’ constant fouling to pull away in the second half and stretched the lead to its largest at 21 points at 85-64 via a Vhoris Marasigan basket.
Philips tallied a double-double of 12 points and 18 rebounds, Marasigan added 11 markers, while Quiambao, Jan Macalalag, and Raven Gonzales contributed 10 apiece for DLSU./PN
