RJ Abarrientos held his nerves as his late three allowed Far Eastern University to win 66-65 over Adamson University in the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament, Thursday, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Gilas guard, who produced 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 22:49 minutes, called game using a cold-blooded three-point shot, with 20.9 seconds left on the clock off a timeout from coach Olsen Racela.
Earlier, Adamson’s Didat Hanapi scored a putback to give the Soaring Falcons a 62-54 lead with 3:41 to go. However, Xyrus Torres retaliated with seven straight points to trim it down to 62-61 with 1:45 to go in the ballgame.
The Soaring Falcons then failed to convert in their next possessions through the efforts of Jerom Lastimosa and Vince Magbuhos, which then gave L-Jay Gonzales the chance to give FEU the lead, 63-62, with 39 seconds left in the contest.
Lastimosa though sank a three to hand Adamson a slender 65-63 edge with 20.9 ticks on the clock remaining, only for Abarrientos to answer back in the end.
“We all know basketball is a game of runs. We were down by eight points last five minutes,” said FEU coach Olsen Racela. “We made a last run thanks to these guys (Abarrientos and Xyrus Torres). This will really help us moving forward.”
Gonzales followed Abarrientos’ lead with 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists while Torres had 13 points and six rebounds. Foreign center Emman Ojoula had 10 rebounds along with four points.
“Mixed emotions for me,” said Racela after his team defeated his brother Nash’s squad. “I’m happy with the win but when the final buzzer sounded at nanalo na kami, walking to the other side of the court, nakita ko kapatid ko so medyo mixed emotions. One team had to win, one team had to lose, ganun talaga eh.”
Perimeter points helped FEU seal the game as they produced 30 points against Adamson’s 18. In contrast, the Soaring Falcons had 34 inside points to the Tamaraws’ 14.
Lastimosa had 16 points, six rebounds, and three assists followed by Cedrick Manzano’s 12 points. Lenda Douanga flirted with a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. Vince Magbuhos had eight points and nine rebounds.
Both schools shall resume their campaigns on Saturday at the SM MOA Arena. Adamson (1-5) takes on De La Salle University at 1:00 PM while FEU (3-3) goes up against University of the Philippines at 7:00 PM.
The Scores:
FEU 66 – Abarrientos 17, Gonzales 16, Torres 13, Tempra 6, Ojoula 4, Alforque 3, Bienes 3, Sandagon 3, Li 1, Sajonia 0, Coquia 0, Celzo 0.
Adamson 65 – Lastimosa 16, Manzano 12, Douanga 10, Magbuhos 8, Yerro 6, Sabandal 4, Colonia 4, Zaldivar 3, Hanapi 2, Peromingan 0, Barasi 0, Jaymalin 0.
Quarterscores: 9-13, 28-26, 43-46, 66-65.
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