MANILA – Far Eastern University Tamaraws clawed back from an early deficit to score a 49-46 victory over Adamson University Falcons in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
With the game knotted at 43-all, Louell Jay Gonzales carried his team on his back by scoring on back-to-back buckets for a 47-43 lead with over a minute remaining in the contest.
Joem Sabandal brought the Falcons to within 46-47 with a three-point shot with less than 12 seconds left, but Royce Alforque calmly sank two clutch free throws to give the Tamaraws a 49-46 lead.
Gonzales had a near double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Patrick Sleat followed his lead with 10 points as the Tamaraws notched back-to-back wins to improve to 2-4.
Joshua Yerro led the way for the Falcons with 12 points while Cedrick Manzano had nine points and 10 rebounds as they dropped to 3-3 win-loss slate.
Meanwhile, Ilonggo Gerry Abadiano converted a timely basket as University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (6-0) escaped with a 67-64 win over De La Salle University Green Archers (3-3).
After seeing their 59-50 lead turned into a 63-all score by a furious fourth quarter run by the Green Archers, Abadiano tracked down the offensive rebound and pulled up for a perimeter basket to surge the Fighting Maroons ahead at 65-63 with a minute left.
The Green Archers had a chance to tie the score, but Michael Phillips drilled only one of his two free throws, while Negrense Reyland Torres converted two freebies for the Fighting Maroons to extend the advantage to 67-64.
With 2.9 seconds left in the game, the Green Archers still had a chance to force overtime, but Joaqui Manuel’s inbound pass intended for Kevin Quiambao was stolen by the Fighting Maroons’ Crispin John Cansino.
Abadiano top-scored for the Fighting Maroons with 13 points; Maodo Malick Diouf had double-double 10 points and 18 rebounds; and Bacolodnon Harold Alarcon tallied 10 points and eight rebounds./PN
BOX SCORE:
FEU 49 – Gonzales 13, Sleat 10, Alforque 8, Torres 6, Bautista 5, Bagunu 3, Faty 2, Ona 2, Tempra 0, Competente 0.
ADAMSON 46 – Yerro 12, Manzano 9, Magbuhos 7, Sabandal 6, Calisay 4, Colonia 3, Ojarikre 2, Hanapi 2, Ramos 1, Montebon 0, Barasi 0, Erolon 0, Barcelona 0.
Quarterscores: 8-21, 22-27, 32-34, 49-46.
