UAAP Basketball

UP pulls off 3rd straight clutch finish, sends FEU to worst start in 16 years

JR Isaga

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UP pulls off 3rd straight clutch finish, sends FEU to worst start in 16 years

UP star Carl Tamayo sizes up the FEU defense at the UAAP Season 85 men's basketball tournament

UAAP Season 85 Media Team

Longtime teammates Carl Tamayo and Terrence Fortea conspire on offense to lift UP in another nail-biter against FEU, the UAAP's lone remaining winless team

MANILA, Philippines – In yet another cardiac affair, the UP Fighting Maroons extended their winning start in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament with a 73-67 escape over the FEU Tamaraws at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, October 8.

Former NU high school star scorer Terrence Fortea reset his seniors career-high with 17 points on a perfect 5-of-5 clip from three with 2 assists and 2 steals, while Mythical Five member Carl Tamayo waxed hot in the clutch with 8 of his 16 points coming in the fourth quarter alone.

Despite blowing an early 14-point lead, 20-6, in the first quarter after a massive 32-point second period from FEU, UP stayed composed in the second half, and traded leads with the Tamaraws, which they maintained starting at the 8:29 mark of the final frame after an RC Calimag free throw for the 61-60 lead.

Since that point, FEU only managed to convert three field goals for the rest of the quarter while Tamayo shut the comeback effort down with a pair of clutch mid-range shots to create a five-point window, 70-65, with 2:05 left in regulation.

Following an LJay Gonzales layup with 50.1 ticks left, the Tamaraws then failed to capitalize on multiple offensive rebounds as their offense continued to falter on their way to their worst start since 2006.

“We got what we wanted, compared to the last two games, starting out strong, but we were not able to sustain it. So, this is one thing that coach Gold [Monteverde] always preaches, the consistency of all four quarters,” said UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon.

“I think the good thing about this game is it’s only the third game, praise God we won.”

Ximone Sandagon was the lone bright spot of the losing side with a career-high 20 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting, plus 7 rebounds, 5 coming from the offensive end.

Patrick Sleat notched an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double for FEU, while Cholo Añonuevo and Xyrus Torres were held to just 9 and 5 points, respectively, on a combined 5-of-28 clip.

UP seeks a 4-0 start on Wednesday, October 12, as it takes on the NU Bulldogs at 1 pm, while 0-3 FEU guns for a much-needed breakthrough over Adamson at 6:30 pm, as the Racela brothers Nash and Olsen clash for the first time this season.

The Scores

UP 73 – Fortea 17, Tamayo 16, Diouf 11, Lucero 10, Alarcon 8, Abadiano 7, Eusebio 2, Calimag 1, Torculas 1, Spencer 0, Ramos 0, Lina 0.

FEU 67 – Sandagon 20, Sleat 11, Gonzales 11, Anonuevo 9, Bautista 7, Torres 5, Alforque 2, Celzo 2, Tempra 0, Tchuente 0, Guibao 0.

Quarters: 10-23, 41-42, 57-60, 73-67.

– Rappler.com

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