The Far Eastern University Tamaraws struggled with a 20-point deficit at the end of first quarter against University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons last Saturday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, but Raymar Jose took the lead to save the Tamaraws from an upset loss.
Jose had a big outing against the Tamaraws as he finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead the squad to a 63-60 win over UP to extend their winning streak to seven games in the UAAP Season 79.
The 6-foot-5 big man converted on two crucial baskets in crunch time to give FEU a 63-57 lead with 1:30 left in the game before the rest of the Tamaraws showed their defensive intensity to pull off the win.
Jose’s performance came after the Tamaraws fell behind, 28-8, at the end of the first period.
“Malamya kami nung simula. Sabi ni coach sa amin na kung gusto niyo manalo, kelangan natin pagtrabahuan,” said Jose, who was adjudged the ACCEL Quantum/3XVI-UAAP Press Corps Player of the Week.
With Jose’s performance, FEU strengthened its hold of the second spot with 8-2 win-loss record, enough to clinch at least a playoff for the Final Four.
Jose joins Monbert Arong as the two FEU players who won the weekly plum.
Despite the win over UP, FEU coach Nash Racela made it clear he wants his wards to play consistent basketball if the Tamaraws want to go deep in the tournament.
“It’s good that the players responded in the second quarter defensively. But we need to play good basketball for 40 minutes for us to really have a good chance every game,” said Racela.
Jose defeated the following players for this week’s crown:
Ben Mbala (DLSU Green Archers)
