MANILA – John Bryan Sajonia caught fire from the three-point area as Far Eastern University Tamaraws cruised to a 109-65 beating of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Pavia, Iloilo native rookie drilled seven outside shot to finish with career-best 27 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal for the Tamaraws.
Rhon Jay Abarrientos had an all-around game of 11 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and two steals, while Royce Alforque and L-jay Gonzales each had 10 points for FEU.
With the win, the Tamaraws ended the double-round elimination at fourth place in the standings with a 7-7 win-loss slate and is assured of at least a playoff for the last postseason spot as of presstime.
FEU’s lopsided win, in the process, also eliminated the 6-8 Adamson University Falcons from playoffs contention despite its 65-53 triumph over University of the East Red Warriors (0-14) in the first game.
The Tamaraws was dominant from the get-go, cruising to a 15-point lead at the break, 49-34, behind solid first half showings by Abarrientos and Sajonia.
The Tamaraws pounded even more in the third quarter to put the game away with a 35-13 tally, erecting an insurmountable 37-point margin entering the fourth, 84-47.
“We shot really well, especially in the second half,” said FEU coach Olsen Racela. “We defended better in the third quarter that’s why we pulled away. Ang mindset namin now is we need one more win to enter the Final Four.”
Nicael Cabañero spearheaded the offense with 16 points but committed four turnovers for the Growling Tigers, which finished the season at seventh place with 3-11 card.
Joshua Fontanilla played his final collegiate game of his career as he ended up with 13 points but had six errors, while Sherwin Concepcion contributed 10 markers for UST.
BOX SCORE:
FEU 109 — Sajonia 27, Abarrientos 11, Alforque 10, Gonzales 10, Sleat 9, Ojoula 8, Torres 8, Bienes 8, Celzo 6, Gravera 5, Dulatre 2, Sandagon 2, Tempra 2, Li 1, Coquia 0.
UST 65 — Cabañero 16, Fontanilla 13, Concepcion 10, Manalang 6, Manaytay 5, Pangilinan 5, Canoy 4, Gomez de Liaño 3, Ando 2, Garing 1, Herrera 0, Yongco 0, Gesalem 0, Mantua 0.
Quarterscores: 22-15, 49-34, 74-47, 109-65./PN
