Tamaraws explode late to hold off resilient Fighting Maroons

MANILA, Philippines – The FEU Tamaraws flipped the switch late and managed to hold off the pesky UP Fighting Maroons, 75-58, for their third win in the UAAP Season 78 senior’s basketball tournament on Sunday, September 20, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Up by just 4 with a little over 6 minutes to go in the game, FEU uncorked a 12-0 run over the next 4 minutes to get rid of UP and send them to their second loss in 4 games.

It was a well-balanced outing from FEU, who had 4 guys that scored at least 10 points in the victory. Raymar Jose finished with 11 points, 13 boards and 2 assists, while Mike Tolomia put up 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 dimes and turned the ball over 0 times.

Achie Inigo and Roger Pogoy put up 10 points each, while Mac Belo had just 5 points but also grabbed 7 boards and dished 4 assists.

FEU, now 3-1, took control of the contest beginning with back-to-back jumpers from Belo and Russel Escoto to extend their lead to 8 with 5:02 remaining.

Both teams then went scoreless over the next possessions until Pogoy end the drought with a 3-pointer that put his team on top 60-49 with just 3:10 remaining on the clock.

In dire need of a basket, UP was unable to halt the bleeding and eventually saw their chance at a victory diminish once Jose converted consecutive field goals, the latter of which came with an and-one opportunity.

With their team ahead by 16 with under two minutes to go, the Tamaraws cruised the rest of the way to a win.

The Fighting Maroons, who were on top 29-28 at halftime, were led by the 16 points of Jett Manuel and 10 points by Diego Dario. Jarrell Lim also played well, finishing with 8 points.

The Tamaraws out-rebounded the Fighting Maroons, 52-35, and had more assists, 17-12, but committed 23 turnovers that led to 21 UP points.

Manuel and company shot just 31% from the field and struggled from downtown, going 5-of-19. 

FEU also had much more free throw attempts than UP, 40-12, but made just 65% of their charities.

The Tamaraws will be back in action on Wednesday, September 23, when they face the 2-2 UE Red Warriors. UP, on the other hand, will take on the 1-3 NU Bulldogs on Saturday, September 26.

Scores:

FEU (75): Jose 11, Tolomia 11, Inigo 10, Pogoy 10, Orizu 8, Arong 7, Belo 5, Escoto 5, Tamsi 5, Escoto 2, Comboy 1, Dennison 0, Trinidad 0

UP (58): Manuel 16, Dario 10, Desiderio 9, Lim 8, Harris 3, Juruena 3, Longa 3, Asilum 2, Kone 2, Moralde 2, Amar 0, Gallarza 0, Jaboneta 0, Prado 0, Vito 0, Webb 0

Quarter scores: 13-8, 28-29, 51-45, 75-58

– Rappler.com