Rookie guard RJ Abarrientos was as good as advertised.
The Gilas guard provided the spark as Far Eastern University laid down an early marker for the rest of the competition after a lopsided 76-51 win over the rebuilding University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament, Saturday at the closed-door SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The 5-foot-10 spitfire had a debut to remember as he chipped in 18 points, five boards, and two assists in 20 minutes of action.
“Surprised sa linaro ni Ronjay, hindi,” said FEU mentor Olsen Racela. “I’m sure lahat naman kayo hindi surprised… Alam niyo naman lahat kung ano ang kayang laruin nI Ronjay. Nakita na ng buong Pilipinas yun… He needs to work on a lot of things and he knows that.”
A 19-0 run capped off by Brandrey Bienes’s four straight points at the 6:15 mark of the second quarter set the Morayta-based school on its way to victory with a 28-9 cushion.
Daniel Celzo’s charities then gave the Tamaraws their biggest lead of the ballgame at 58-28 with 5:30 left in the third quarter.
“We’re just happy to get our first win after almost two long years of waiting,” said Racela. “Of course, we’re happy pero di kami kuntento. We have to do a lot of things to prepare. Pagbalik namin sa dorm, trabaho ulit, the coaches and the players.”
Bryan Sajonia followed Abarrientos’ lead with 12 points, eight rebounds, and two steals while Nigerian student-athlete Emmanuel Ojoula got eight points, six rebounds, and three assists.
FEU guard LJay Gonzales missed out on the game due to a sprain he acquired during practice.
Unfortunately for the Growling Tigers, the senior big man Dave Ando suffered what looked like an ankle injury at the 7:43 mark of the third period.
Transferee guard from St. Clare Joshua Fontanilla had a solid debut for the Espana school with 19 points built on three treys. True freshman Nicael Cabanero had 12 markers.
The Growling Tigers though shot just 20-of-of-74 from the field, including 8-of-34 from deep. Moreover, FEU outrebounded UST, 57-40.
Both schools shall resume their respective campaigns on Tuesday at the SM MOA Arena. FEU (1-0) takes on Ateneo de Manila University at 1:00 PM while UST (0-1) goes up against University of the Philippines at 7:00 PM.
The Scores:
FEU (76) — Abarrientos 18, Sajonia 12, Ojuola 8, Gravera 6, Coquia 6, Li 5, Bienes 4, Anonuevo 4, Sleat 3, Alforque 2, Dulatre 2, Sandagon 2, Celzo 2, Torres 2, Tempra 0.
UST (51) — Fontanilla 19, Cabanero 12, Concepcion 7, Gomez de Liaño 3, Santos 3, Manalang 3, Ando 2, Manaytay 2, Garing 0, Pangilinan 0, Herrera 0, Canoy 0, Samudio 0.
Quarterscores: 22-9, 47-18, 60-35, 76-51.
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