MANILA – Far Eastern University Tamaraws took down another contender in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball following a 63-60 upset over Ateneo Blue Eagles at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Wednesday night was the Tamaraws’ second straight win against the top teams in the tournament after handing Adamson University Falcons its first loss in the season — a 68-65 overtime win on Sunday.
Against the Blue Eagles, the Tamaraws were down by 10 points at the half when Jasper Parker anchored a huge third quarter run by FEU to snatch the advantage at 39-36 on a triple by Hubert Cani.
Tamaraws increased the lead to as high as eight points in the fourth period with inside baskets from Prince Orizu and triples by Axel Inigo and Brandrey Bienes but the Blue Eagles did not gave up to keep the match close.
The closest the Blue Eagles came was at 56-58 on seven straight points by Mike Nieto and Angelo Kouame. But a triple by Hubert Cani followed by a defensive stop on Ateneo’s Adrian Wong sealed the win for the Tamaraws.
Cani led the way with 12 points, six assists and five rebounds, while Parker and Inigo added nine markers apiece.
The Tamaraws ended the first round of eliminations with 5-2 slate.
“Well, ako hindi ko rin alam paano namin ginawa ‘yun (beating Ateneo),” said Tamaraws head coach Olsen Racela. “We played without our top scorer so we were surprised talaga na natalo namin sila.”
Angelo Kouame finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks while Raffy Verano, Thirdy Ravena and Mike Nieto had eight points each for the Blue Eagles, which slipped to 5-2./PN
