MANILA – Far Eastern University Tamaraws squandered an early lead before holding off De La Salle University Green Archers, 67-62, in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball on Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
After seeing the early double-digit lead turned to a 57-all count, the Tamaraws unloaded a 9-2 finishing run via three-pointers from Xyrus Torres, Rhon Jay Abarrientos and Patrick Sleat for a 66-59 lead.
The Green Archers made its last push on two free throws by Negrense Mark Nonoy and a split by Filipino-American import Michael Phillips to cut the deficit to 62-66.
But the Tamaraws got a split free throw from Ljay Gonzales to secure the victory and grabbed the solo fourth place in the standings with its 6-6 win-loss slate.
Abarrientos converted five outside shots to finish with 21 points, while Torres chipped in 14 points for the Tamaraws, which have scored its third straight win.
Sleat was a surprise with 10 points. Gonzales did it all with nine points, 10 rebounds, four rebounds, and two steals for FEU, which converted 13 of its 27 three-point attempts for 48.1 percent clip.
In the third, the Green Archers held the Tamaraws field goal-less in the whole quarter, going 0-of-13, with all its points coming from the free throw line, to turn a 13-point deficit to a 49-47 lead.
“At the half, ‘yun ung sinabi ko sa kanila. We have to play 40 minutes of basketball to beat La Salle. We had a bad third quarter,” said FEU head coach Rodericko Racela.
“Luckily in the fourth quarter, we stepped up on defense and executed on offense so nasuwerte rin kami because La Salle didn’t have Winston today so we just took advantage of it,” he added.
Evan Nelle paced the 7-5 Green Archers with 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Justine Baltazar added double-double 13 points and 16 rebounds.
BOX SCORE:
FEU 67 — Abarrientos 21, Torres 14, Sleat 10, Gonzales 9, Ojuola 4, Sajonia 3, Alforque 2, Tempra 2, Celzo 2, Sandagon 0, Bienes 0.
DLSU 62 — Nelle 15, Baltazar 13, Lojera 10, M. Phillips 7, Nwankwo 6, Nonoy 4, Austria 4, Cuajao 3, Manuel 0, B. Phillips 0, Cu 0, Galman 0.
Quarterscores: 25-15, 42-29, 47-49, 67-62./PN
