Tamaraws move to solo fourth with win over NU

Tamaraws move to solo fourth with win over NU

Tamaraws move to solo fourth with win over NU

Tamaraws move to solo fourth with win over NU

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THE Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws moved to solo fourth early in Season 80 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament after defeating the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 90-83, in midweek action yesterday.

Locked in a three-way logjam for fourth place entering the match, along with the idle Adamson Soaring Falcons, FEU broke off from the 2-2 tie with a gutsy victory, anchored on a balanced attack all game long, while sending NU down the standings.

The Tamaraws had it solid in the opening quarter, taking a 22-15 lead after the first 10 minutes.

The two teams then engaged in a gunslinging in the second quarter but FEU would manage to remain ahead, 48-41, at the halftime break.

FEU, led by Arvin Tolentino, continued to take control at the start of the third period, building a 14-point separation, 63-49, in the first five minutes.

It would move on to settle for a 76-68 advantage by end-third quarter.

Much like in the preceding period, the Tamaraws held the tempo at the beginning of the payoff period.

They extended their lead anew to 12 points, 82-70 with a little over seven minutes remaining.

NU would make a last-ditch effort after to try and snatch the win with veteran Jayjay Alejandro leading.

The Bulldogs cut their deficit to just five points, 88-83, with 43 seconds left in the contest.

That was the closest they would get though as Tolentino and the rest of the Tamaraws went for the closeout thereafter.

Tolentino finished with a career-high 23 points to go along with six boards for FEU (3-2).

Axel Iñigo had 12 points while Barkley Ebora finished with 10 to help the Tamaraws.

Alejandro, meanwhile, had 23 markers to lead NU, which has now lost back-to-back games and slid to 2-3.

“This game was important for us. Good thing our guys played consistent all throughout,” said FEU coach Olsen Racela after their win.

Meanwhile, later yesterday the league-leading Ateneo Blue Eagles were to meet the struggling University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.

The Eagles (4-0) were looking to book their fifth win in as many outings while the Tigers (0-4) were searching for their breakthrough victory in the ongoing season.

UAAP games return on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with the defending champions De La Salle Green Archers (3-1) taking on UST at 2 p.m. and Ateneo and NU colliding at 4 p.m. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo