Comboy holds off La Salle as FEU Tamaraws even slate

Coming off a loss to Ateneo, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws bounced back with a 66-55 triumph over the suddenly-skidding De La Salle University Green Archers, in the UAAP Season 82 Men’s Basketball Tournament, Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Ino Comboy delivered the daggers for the Tamaraws, as he fired five of the last seven points in the win. He finished with 11 points, on a 3-of-9 clip from threes, while also grabbing two rebounds.

Cameroonian big man Patrick Tchuente also tallied a double-double of 19 points, 11 boards, and three blocks to level FEU’s record to 2-2.

“I’m just proud of the way we played today coming off that loss to Ateneo,” said coach Olsen Racela. “It just showed yung competititon this season is so balanced. Lahat ng teams are capable of winning any given moment.”

FEU lost a 14-point lead, 38-24, early in the third quarter, as La Salle got to within six, 56-50, with 6:14 remaining. Comboy then anchored the Tamaraws’ 10-3 blast to bring the lead back up to 11, 64-53, with 1:35 to play. From there, FEU cruised to the victory.

Brandrey Bienes added nine points and six rebounds, while Barkley Ebona chimed in eight points and six boards for FEU.

This is La Salle’s second straight defeat, dropping them to a 2-2 record.

Jamie Malonzo led the Green Archers with 20 points, 15 rebounds, and three assists in the defeat.

FEU next go up against the sweet-shooting UST Growling Tigers on Sunday, September 22, at 4:00pm. Meanwhile, La Salle will try to end their skid against the Adamson Soaring Falcons the day before. Both games will be at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The Scores:

FEU 66 — Tchuente 19, Comboy 11, Bienes 9, Ebona 8, Alforque 7, Gonzales 5, Tuffin 4, Torres 3, Cani 0, Nunag 0, Stockton 0.

DLSU 55 — Malonzo 20, Caracut 10, Baltazar 6, Serrano 6, Melecio 5, Bates 2, Lojera 2, Meeker 2, Pado 2, Manuel 0.

Quarterscores: 19-14, 36-24, 49-43, 66-55.