Even with their opponents keeping close with them for three quarters, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws falter, breaking away late against the University of the East Red Warriors, 79-63, Sunday afternoon at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
With the win, FEU gains solo fourth with an even 6-6 record. Moreover, the Tamaraws eliminated their neighbors Red Warriors from the Final Four picture, dropping them to a 3-10 slate. UE missed the Final Four boat for the eighth straight year.
The victory was also a good morale booster for Olsen Racela’s team as they are coming off two straight losses, including a 56-59 loss to the UP Fighting Maroons last October 28.
“Well after that loss to UP, we really needed this win. Actually, we need more wins in our remaining games. But I think this is a good confidence-booster for us going into the home stretch,” said first-year Tamaraws head coach Olsen Racela.
With his family watching, former SWU Cobra Jasper Parker led the Tamaraws with 18 points and eight assists. Moreover, he proved pivotal during the final frame.
“Kasi kay Jasper naman, it’s not about his scoring, and he knows that. It’s the way he orchestrates everything for us. More than the scoring, parang bonus na lang yun sa akin,” Racela remarked about his floor general.
With the game knotted at 49-all to start the fourth quarter, Hubert Cani and Arvin Tolentino sparked a 13-6 run to give FEU the lead for good.
“I”m just proud of the way they played in the second half. They didn’t have a good first half, but the second half was much better,” beamed Racela.
Parker and Orizu then picked up the scraps, scoring at will to close out the contest. FEU led by as much as 17 points, 79-62, after a Parker triple.
Orizu finished with 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting to go along with 13 rebounds. Tolentino, who is celebrating his 22nd birthday today, chipped in 10 points off the bench.
Alvin Pasaol led UE with 18 points but needed 19 attempts to do so. But it was not just Pasaol who struggled as the Red Warriors shot a dismal 31 percent from the field as a team.
FEU will next face the NU Bulldogs on Wednesday, November 8 at 2:00pm. UE, on the other hand, takes on the UST Growling Tigers on Saturday, November 11 at 2:00pm. Both games will be players at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Scores:
FEU (79) – Parker 18, Orizu 14, Tolentino 10, Dennison 9, Trinidad 9, Cani 8, Tuffin 4, Escoto 3, Comboy 2, Bayquin 2, Inigo 0, Ebona 0, Ramirez 0.
UE (63) – Pasaol 18, Olayon 14, Maloles 8, Acuno 8, Manalang 7, Bartolome 4, Conner 4, Derige 0, Varilla 0, Cullar 0, Toribio 0, Abanto 0.
Quarterscores: 18-22, 29-33, 49-49, 79-63.
