DEFENDING champion Far Eastern University and National University posted hard-earned wins to forge a four-way tie in second place in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.
Monbert Arong drilled in a key jumper in the last 14.6 seconds as the Tamaraws posted their 10th straight win at the expense of University of the Philippines, a 51-49 squeaker, while the Bulldogs overcame a poor fourth quarter to prevail over University of Santo Tomas, 75-68.
FEU and NU joined idle squads Adamson and Ateneo at 3-2, two games behind powerhouse La Salle, which has not tasted defeat in five starts.
“It was a struggle but we knew along that this game will be difficult. We are learning the ropes at this point,” said FEU coach Nash Racela.
The Bulldogs scored only six points in the payoff period but their huge 69-49 cushion in the third quarter was enough to bounce back from consecutive losses to the Green Archers and the Falcons.
“It was an ugly fourth quarter for us. We lost our aggressiveness and we became tentative. I thought we are playing not to lose. It was a lesson for a young team, we have to learn how to finish games. Work in progress pa sa amin,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano.
Games Wednesday:
(Mall of Asia Arena)
8 a.m. – ADMU vs UP (Women)
10 a.m. – UE vs DLSU (Women)
2 p.m. – ADMU vs UP (Men)
4 p.m. – UE vs DLSU (Men)