At the end of game day no. 4, Far Eastern University remains the lone team still winless in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament.
But all the Tamaraws’ defeats went down the line in the fourth quarter.
The most recent loss against defending champions University of the Philippines on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, a 73-67 loss.
Carl Tamayo and Terrence Fortea linked up in the endgame to push the Fighting Maroons over FEU.
However, a close finish was not in sight during the first quarter. That UP opened on a blistering 20-6 blast.
But the Tamaraws clawed their way back in the match and even led by as much as six in the second frame, 42-36.
“Like I told them, I’m so proud of the way we fought today. But kulang pa rin eh,” said FEU coach Olsen Racela.
“But if we keep on fighting this way, playing this way, for sure dadating din ang panalo.”
Despite the six-point defeat, the Tamaraws outrebounded the Fighting Maroons – who boast 6-foot-11 Malick Diouf, 6-foot-7 Carl Tamayo, and 6-foot-7 Zavier Lucero – 46-38, including a huge 22-9 advantage in the offensive end. This, with Patrick Tchuente only playing eight minutes and grabbing just a single rebound.
Patrick Sleat alone almost tied UP’s tally with eight offensive rebounds. Meanwhile, Ximone Sandagon – who had a career-game of 20 points on 8-of-8 shooting – collared five of his own.
“Yun ang Be Brave spirit ng FEU. Ang lalaki nila eh from point guard hanggang singko ata mismatch kami sa height pero yun yung fight ng players eh that’s why we kept it close,” said Racela.
“I’m so proud of the way we fought tonight.”
Up next for FEU will be Adamson University on Wednesday, 6:30 PM, at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
And there, the Tamaraws’ mettle will be put to test anew.
“We went toe-to-toe with the finalists last year, dapat ganon kami every game. If we do that, we give ourselves a chance,” added Racela.
“If we be consistent with what we want, then the wins will eventually come.”
