MANILA – Ilonggo John Bryan Sajonia had his best game for the Far Eastern University Tamaraws when they clobbered the University of the East Red Warriors, 91-61, in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Pavia, Iloilo native had a career game with 17 points built on five triples as the Tamaraws tied Adamson University Falcons at fourth place with 5-6 win-loss slate.
Teammate Xyrus Torres had 15 points on four three-pointers while Patrick Sleat stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
The Tamaraws cruised to a dominant 24-7 first quarter score before turning it up even more in the second to enter the break ahead by 27 points at 53-26.
The Tamaraws lead would eventually balloon to as high as 39 points, 91-52, courtesy of a Patrick Sleat deuce late in the game before the Red Warriors rallied.
“One game at a time pa rin kami. I’m sure ‘yun din ang focus ng Adamson at NU. Ang focus namin ngayon ay La Salle,” said Tamaraws head coach Rodericko Racela.
Nico Paranada tallied 15 points, four steals, three rebounds, and a block, while Harvey Pagsanjan added 10 markers as the Red Warriors stayed winless in 11 games.
University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (9-2) also clinched a spot in the UAAP Final Four after clipping De La Salle University Green Archers (7-4), 72-69.
Holding to a 64-59 lead midway in the fourth period, the Fighting Maroona leaned on seven unanswered points from Ricci Rivero, Carl Tamayo, and Maodo Malick Diouf for a 71-59 lead.
The Green Archers answered with a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to 71-69. Rivero widened the lead for UP at 72-69 on a split free throw but Mark Nonoy misfired his potential game winning trey for DLSU.
Tamayo registered 23 points and 11 rebounds while Diouf had himself a day at the boards with 18 to go with 15 points as Rivero ended up with 11 for the Fighting Maroons.
BOX SCORES:
FEU 91 — Sajonia 17, Torres 15, Sleat 12, Abarrientos 12, Gonzales 10, Gravera 7, Tempra 5, Celzo 5, Alforque 2, Ojuola 2, Li 2, Sandagon 2, Bienes 0, Dulatre 0.
UE 61 — N. Paranada 15, Pagsanjan 10, K. Paranada 7, Catacutan 7, Antiporda 6, Villanueva 5, Beltran 4, P. Cruz 2, Guevarra 2, J. Cruz 2, Escamis 1, Abatayo 0, Sawat 0, Tulabut 0, Lorenzana 0, Pascual 0.
Quarterscores: 24-7, 53-26, 73-40, 91-61./PN
