Xyrus Torres stepped up big time to help Far Eastern University return to winning ways in a 88-74 wire-to-wire victory over University of the East in the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament, Tuesday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
FEU raced to a hot start behind Xyrus Torres’ five three-point shots in the first half. Jason Li then provided the Tamaraws a 38-15 cushion deep in the second quarter.
Despite the big deficit, the Red Warriors fought back strong in the third quarter. UE was able to cut the deficit to just 45-54 with 33.7 seconds left in the period thanks to Jose Antiporda’s three to keep the Tamaraws honest in the fourth period.
Come the final quarter, Torres restored FEU’s dominance in the contest courtesy of five unanswered points to give the Tamaraws a 65-50 separation with 8:03 remaining in the ball game and extended to as much as 80-61 by Emman Ojoula’s basket in the dying moments.
“Much needed victory after a three-game losing streak,” said FEU coach Olsen Racela. “We needed the victory more for our morale. But we cannot celebrate yet kasi three games ulit kami this week. We have Adamson on Thursday and UP to close out the first round on Saturday.”
Torres led FEU this evening with 26 points at the back of eight treys while Ojoula had a monster game of 18 points and 19 rebounds. L-Jay Gonzales had 13 points for the Tamaraws.
Ojoula’s presence in the post allowed FEU to control the boards with 60 rebounds, which provided the platform for 34 points in the paint, and 18 second-chance points. In contrast, UE had 36 rebounds, two second-chance points, and 18 points in the paint.
RJ Abarrientos, the league’s leading scorer prior to the contest, had an off-night, going just 1-of-13 from the field for two points.
“We were expecting a better record than this,” admitted Racela after his team snapped their three-game hoodoo. “Teams go through adversity during the season and that’s how you grow. Yan ang ine-expect ko sa team ko. Napaaga lang yung adversity sa amin.”
Harvey Pagsanjan was the lone bright light for UE with 23 points.
Both schools shall continue their campaigns on Thursday at the SM MOA Arena. UE (0-5) faces Ateneo de Manila University at 4:00 PM while FEU (2-3) goes up against Adamson University after at 7:00 PM.
The Scores:
FEU 88 – Torres 26, Ojoula 18, Gonzales 13, Sajonia 7, Alforque 6, Sandagon 6, Coquia 3, Abarrientos 2, Bienes 2, Sleat 2, Li 2, Celzo 1, Tempra 0, Gravera 0.
UE 74 – Pagsanjan 23, Sawat 8, Guevarra 7, Catacutan 7, Antiporda 6, Paranada N 5, Beltran 4, Abatayo 4, Villanueva 3, Cruz 3, Escamis 2, Lorenzana 2, Tulabut 0, Paranada 0, Cruz 0
Quarterscores: 18-6, 40-22, 57-45, 88-74.
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