MANILA – Far Eastern University Tamaraws scored back-to-back wins in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball by pulling off a 47-44 stunner over National University Bulldogs on Sunday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Ilonggo John Bryan Sajonia spearheaded the offense with 12 points to go with five rebounds, one assist, and one steal, while Ljay Gonzales had nine markers, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals for FEU.
Pat Tchuente was hailed as the Player of the Game as he finished with six points, and 18 rebounds for the Tamaraws, which has recorded its second victory after losing their first five games this season.
In a low scoring affair since the start, the Tamaraws tasted the lead for the first time at 36-35 after a three-pointer by the Pavia, Iloilo-native Sajonia but the Bulldogs answered back with five straight points for a 40-35 lead.
The Tamaraws regained their scoring ways with a 9-0 blast capped by a triple by Sajonia for a 45-40 lead. The Bulldogs managed to cut the deficit to 44-45 but a conversion by Gonzales sealed the win for FEU.
Omar John topped the scoring column with nine points for the Bulldogs, which saw its four-game winning streak snapped to drop to 5-2 win-loss slate after the first round of eliminations.
In the first game, Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles leaned on a third-quarter blitz to overcome the University of the East Red Warriors, 91-76, and tie the Bulldogs with 5-2 record. The Red Warriors dropped to 3-4.
Holding to a slim 46-44 lead at the half, the Blue Eagles exploded with a 17-0 scoring run capped off by a conversion by Angelo Kouame to pull away from the Red Warriors, 63-44.
The Blue Eagles then led by as much as 83-61 off a Kai Ballungay dunk with 3:27 remaining in the game as the Red Warriors went cold from the three-point area the rest of the way.
Dave Ildefonso led the way with 20 points, Ballungay added 14 points, while Rence Padrigao and Bryan Andrade contributed 11 markers apiece with the former adding nine assists for the Blue Eagles.
BOX SCORE:
FEU 47 – Sajonia 12, Gonzales 9, Bautista 9, Tchuente 6, Torres 6, Anonuevo 5, Alforque 0, Tempra 0, Bagunu 0, Sleat 0, Celzo 0, Sandagon 0.
NU 44 – John 9, Clemente 8, Figueroa 8, Baclaan 6, Manansala 5, Malonzo 4, Minerva 3, Enriquez 1, Galinato 0, Yu 0, Mahinay 0, Tibayan 0, Padrones 0.
Quarterscores: 12-16, 22-26, 31-33, 47-44./PN
