Bryan Sajonia and Far Eastern University used a fourth-quarter surge to subdue University of Santo Tomas, 90-79, taking its third win in the 2022 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup’s Group B, Sunday in San Juan City.
The Tamaraws evened their win-loss record to 3-3, while the Growling Tigers fell to 1-4.
Sajonia tallied a game-high 20 points to go with five assists, four rebounds, and two steals.
Leading by three at the end of three quarters, 63-60, the Tamaraws opened the final period with a 14-3 run ending with a Royce Alforque jumper to get back a double-digit lead, 74-63, at the 7:59 mark.
From there, the Tamaraws extended the advantage to its biggest at 19, 88-69, with a 14-6 run with Sajonia, Ximone Sandagon, Rodel Grevera, and James Tempra getting the baskets.
Sandagon provided 13 points for FEU with nine rebounds and an assist. Meanwhile, Xyrus Torres finished 12 markers, one steal, and one assist, and Tempra added 11 points, six rebounds, and two steals.
“So we’re looking at not so mch kung sino ang kalaban natin, but more so kung paano kami naglalaro. Ayun yung sinabi ko sa kanila before the game, improvements ang hinahanap namin. Before the FilOil, di pa nakikita yung improvements eh. So slowly, since [the] guys are settling into their roles and nakalaro na rin yung mga coming off injuries, so slowly we’re getting there,” said head coach Olsen Racela.
“Pero yun nga, ginagamit na namin yung FilOil in preparation for the UAAP. Ngayon lang nakalaro si Patrick Tchuente rin, so dahan-dahan, yan ang goal namin namin, lalo na dito sa FilOil. But, goal na narin namin is to get to the quarters because that’s another extra quality game to help us prepare,” he continued.
Kean Baclaan willed UST with 19 points on 7-of-16 shooting from the floor, with seven boards, three assists, and two steals. Sherwin Concepcion chipped in 13 points, five rebounds, and an assist, while Nic Cabañero chimed in nine points, three rebounds, and an assist.
The Tamaraws will look to go above .500 against Jose Rizal University on Monday at 11 a.m, while the Growling Tigers will take on San Beda University later that day at 3 p.m
The Scores:
FEU 90 – Sajonia 20, Sandagon 13, Torres 12, Tempra 11, Gonzales 10, Sleat 7, Gravera 5, Bagunu 5, Alforque 4, Ona 3, Tchuente 0, Guibao 0, Montemayor 0
UST 79 – Baclaan 19, Concepcion 13, Cabanero 9, Mantua 8, Herrera 8, Lazarte 6, Garing 6, Santos 5, Pangilinan 5, Crisostomo 0, Escobido 0
Quarterscores: 27-18, 43-37, 63-60, 90-79.
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The entire 2022 Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup will stream LIVE on Smart Sports Facebook page
