Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

UAAP POW Sajonia says trusting teammates key for FEU’s streak


It was not pretty by any means, but perennial contender Far Eastern University breathed new life into its UAAP Season 85 campaign with a much-needed two-game winning streak to end an unpredictable first round in the men’s basketball tournament.

Down in the doldrums with a 0-5 start for their worst in the Final Four era, the Tamaraws who own the UAAP’s longest active playoff streak (8 straight seasons) stayed locked in and strung a couple of big wins with a 75-60 rout of University of Santo Tomas, followed by a gritty 47-44 upset over former top-ranked team National U.

Leading the comeback in that stretch is Bryan Sajonia, who helped carry the Tamaraws’ languishing offense with 23 points on a perfect 9-of-9 clip inside the arc against the Growling Tigers and 12 points as the game’s lone double-digit scorer versus the Bulldogs.

His two-game averages of 17.5 points on 45-percent shooting, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in under 26 minutes of play proved to be enough to earn him the nod as the Collegiate Press Corps UAAP Player of the Week presented by San Miguel Corporation and the Philippine Sports Commission.

The scrappy Sajonia leapfrogged a loaded cast of candidates featuring Adamson’s Jerom Lastimosa, Ateneo’s Dave Ildefonso, University of the Philippines’ Carl Tamayo, and NU’s Steve Nash Enriquez for the weekly honor deliberated upon by print and online media regularly covering the league, and also backed by MNL Kingpin, Tinapayan Festival, and Jockey as minor sponsors.

“Masaya kami dahil nakuha namin ang first win namin. Malaking epekto sa amin ang FEU community na sumusuporta sa amin. Masaya kami, siguro para sa amin, nakuha na namin ang break namin sa mga upcoming games pa,” Sajonia said.

“Ang sinabi lang naman ni coach Olsen [Racela] is maging confident kami [sa] lahat ng tira namin and magtiwala sa isa’t isa. ‘Wag kami mag kanya-kanya. Dahil sa losing streak namin, kailangan naming mas maging buo as a team talaga.”

As FEU revived its playoff drive in the nick of time at the tailend of the first round, fans from Morayta for sure hope the worst is over as the Tamaraws (2-5) head into the second round in the thick of the race with only a game behind the Final Four picture.

#ReadMore  UAAP 85 Baseball: Carolino, NU hold Adamson, gain share of fourth
Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

Camille Clarin set the tone for National University’s dominance after the holiday break with an impressive performance in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball...

Basketball

Mike Phillips of the De La Salle Green Archers delivered an exceptional performance for De La Salle University following the holiday break in the UAAP Season...

ADMU

Kacey Dela Rosa is on pace for another MVP year, delivering an outstanding performance for Ateneo de Manila University that earned her the Collegiate...

Basketball

Kevin Quiambao put on a masterclass performance for De La Salle University, establishing himself as a class above the rest and earning the Collegiate...

Basketball

By: Bjorn Del Deade Mapua University exacted sweet revenge against San Beda, escaping with a 58-55 victory to solidify their hold on second place...

Basketball

Tacky Tacatac has consistently provided the offense for University of Santo Tomas during a remarkable week in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament....

Basketball

Jorick Bautista of Far Eastern University delivered stellar performances during the past week of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournaments. His efforts helped...

Basketball

Yukien Andrada and James Payosing stepped up in the clutch, leading San Beda University to a hard-fought 76-69 overtime victory against Mapua University to...

Advertisement