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| c/o UAAP |
Far Eastern University kept its Final Four chances alive while sending Ateneo de Manila University to the brink of elimination, securing a 65-54 win in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Saturday.
The Tamaraws raised their record to 5-8 with one game left in their schedule in the elimination round - a match against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons next Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
With the teams having uneven games due to postponement of games , FEU is currently at solo fifth, above Adamson University which only has 11 games at 4-7 and below University of Santo Tomas playing University of the East as of publishing time at 5-7.
“I’m so proud of these guys. Last game, I’ve been pretty tough on them in practice… and their response have been amazing. They are just so good kids, they’re disciplined and they wanna win,” said FEU head coach Sean Chambers.
The third period proved to be the difference as the Tamaraws outscored the Blue Eagles there 21-13 highlighted by five three-pointers made by the group of Jorick Bautista, Janrey Pasaol, Veejay Pre, and Rojan Montemayor to make a close 33-29 lead to a 54-42 cushion they successfully took care of in the fourth.
Pasaol led the FEU charge with a career-best 14 points to go with seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals, while Montemayor broke out as well with 13 points on three triples.
“Pasalamat ako kay coach Sean kasi ako galing ako ng juniors, si coach Sean kinakausap niya si coach Allan (Albano) about sa disiplina namin sa mga simpleng box out so doon ko pa rin ini-earn ‘yung minutes ko para sa kanya kasi every missed box out labas ako kaagad sa kanya eh,” said Pasaol, an FEU-Diliman product.
Gambian center Mo Konateh also provided 11 points and 21 rebounds, while Bautista regained his confidence after a scoreless game against De La Salle University last time out, dropping eight points, six rebounds, and three assists although he committed seven turnovers.
After falling to 3-9, the Blue Eagles are now in danger of missing the Final Four for the first time since Season 76 (2013). Ateneo never missed the semifinals in head coach Tab Baldwin’s seven seasons.
Ian Espinosa was the lone Blue Eagle in double digits with 14 points along with six assists, while Jared Bahay got nine points.
Ateneo leaders Chris Koon and Joshua Lazaro were held to just five and four points on 1-of-7 and 1-of-10 shooting from the field, respectively.
The Blue Eagles will next play on Wednesday against the UE Red Warriors at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Scores:
FEU 65 – Pasaol 14, Montemayor 13, Konateh 11, Bautista 8, Alforque 8, Pre 5, Daa 4, Bagunu 2, Nakai 0, Ona 0.
Ateneo 54 – Espinosa 14, Bahay 9, Porter 8, Ong 7, Koon 5, Lazaro 4, Tuano 4, Quitevis 3, Bongo 0, Balogun 0, Espina 0, Edu 0, Gamber 0.
Quarterscores: 20-16, 33-29, 54-42, 65-54
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