University of Santo Tomas repeated its conquest of Far Eastern University, 57-53, to close its UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball campaign on a good note, Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Growling Tigers still finished eighth with a 2-12 record with their other win coming against the Tamaraws in the first round, 68-62, last October 22.
“Disappointing season for us. Dalawa lang yung pinanalo. I take full responsibility. I disappointed the UST community, humihingi ako ng pasensya sa kanila but for sure we’ll be better next year,” said UST head coach Pido Jarencio, who made his return to the Growling Tigers after 10 years this season.
Down by 10 with 3:39 left in the game, the Tamaraws clawed back to within four with three straight baskets from James Tempra, Jorick Bautista, and L-Jay Gonzales with 2:42 to go, 50-54.
After multiple empty possessions on both ends, UST stretched its slim lead to six points after splits from the line by both Paul Manalang and Nic Cabañero with 24.9 seconds remaining, 56-50.
FEU executed in the ensuing play as Bautista drilled a three-pointer with little time reduced, 53-56 with 21.0 ticks left before Manalang split his charities anew with 19.5 seconds.
Bautista and Xyrus Torres missed their final attempts.
“Sabi ko lang, deserve ni Coach Pido [itong panalo] pati ng organization namin kasi we had a very rough season ngayon so we’re trying to find a way to win and syempre sinwerte kami na nanalo kami ngayon,” said junior forward Christian Manaytay, who led the way for UST with 12 points and nine rebounds.
Migs Pangilinan made three triples to finish with 10 points along with five rebounds while Cabañero chimed in eight points and six rebounds.
Vince Ventulan, who played his last game for UST, delivered seven points.
The Tamaraws, on the other hand, ended seventh with a 3-11 slate. They closed the season on a six-game skid.
Gonzales tallied four points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals in his final game for FEU before fouling out with 2:03 left in the game.
Bautista and Tempra had 17 and 10 points, respectively, in the losing cause.
Aside from Gonzales, Tempra, and Mo Faty also played their final game in Tamaraws uniform.
The Scores:
UST 57 – Manaytay 12, Pangilinan 10, Cabañero 8, Calum 7, Ventulan 7, Laure 6, Gesalem 3, Manalang 2, Lazarte 2, Llemit 0, Duremdes 0, Crisostomo 0.
FEU 53 – Bautista 17, Tempra 10, Ona 8, Faty 5, Gonzales 4, Torres 4, Competente 3, Sleat 2, Bagunu 0, Beato 0, Buenaventura 0, Montemayor 0, Felipe 0.
Quarterscores: 18-9, 32-24, 47-37, 57-53
