MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws survived a dominant first half by the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, 78-65, on Saturday, September 23, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Down by 7 in the first half, the FEU Tamaraws exacted revenge on the Growling Tigers by taking the lead late in the 3rd quarter via a Kenneth Tuffin triple.
Both teams started sluggishly in the first quarter until UST sparked a 5-1 run to take the lead from the Tamaraws with 4:53 left in the first. Marvin Lee's triple ignited the Growling Tigers' offense to get a 6-point lead. This was almost overtaken by the Tamaraws in the last 2 minutes of the game when Tuffin sank a triple to get within 1.
The Growling Tigers continued their first quarter heroics by making a 6-1 run that was iced by Carlos Escalambre's back-to-back triples.
However, the Tamaraws bounced back from their lackluster offense as Prince Orizu slammed one home and made a bucket in the next sequence to cut the deficit to 4 (24-20). Jeepy Faundo countered with a back-to-back play of his own that extended the Growling Tigers' lead at the end of the first half.
The 3rd quarter saw the Tamaraws inch closer to the Growling Tigers as they tied the game at 45-all with 2 minutes left in the third. Tuffin then drained a triple that garnered the 1-point lead for FEU at the end of the third quarter.
FEU made the real comeback in the final frame as Arvin Tolentino opened it with back-to-back triples. A balanced effort by the Tamaraws sparked a 16-2 run, that ultimately sealed the win for the Tamaraws.
Dennison and Tolentino led the Tamaraws with 15 points apiece. Tolentino grabbed 10 rebounds, 2 of which are offensive.
Faundo topscored for the Growling Tigers with a double-double of 16 points and11 rebounds. Jordan Sta. Ana followed with 11 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
This win improves FEU's record to 2-2, while the Growling Tigers remain winless with a 0-4 record in the UAAP Season 80 mens' basketball tournament.
Scores
FEU (78) – Dennison 15, Tolentino 15, Parker 8, Tuffin 8, Ebona 6, Inigo 6, Comboy 5, Orizu 5, Ramirez 5, Escoto 3, Stockton 2, Cani 0, Trinidad 0, Nunag 0, Bayquin 0.
UST (65) – Faundo 16, Sta. Ana 11, Basibas 8, Escalambre 8, Akomo 6, Huang 4, Lee 3, De Guzman 3, Macasaet 2, Arana 2, Kwawukumey 2, Garcia 0, Caunan 0, Soriano 0.
Quarter scores (FEU-UST): 11-16, 31-36, 49-48, 78-65
– Rappler.com