RJ Abarrientos waxed hot in the second quarter to help Far Eastern University rout University of Santo Tomas, 76-51, in the opener of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 84 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Saturday, March 26.
The 5-foot-11 Abarrientos led the Tamaraws in his UAAP senior's debut and scored 14 of his 18 points in the second period to go with five rebounds, and two assists, Bryan Sajonia chipped in 12 points, eight rebounds, and two steals, Emman Ojuola contributed eight points, six rebounds, and three assists.
"We're just happy to get our first win after two long years of waiting," said FEU head coach Olsen Racela in a virtual post-match press conference. "We're happy that we got that win but we still have a lot of things to do lalo na maiksi lahat ng preparations ng team (We still have a lot of things to do especially we have limited preparation time).
"We're happy but we're not yet -- 'di kami kuntento (we're not yet contented). We have to do a lot of things to prepare kaya pagbalik namin sa dorm trabaho na ulit (back to work when we return to our dorms)," added Racela.
Leading by as many as 17 in the second quarter, 30-13, FEU uncorked a 13-2 run powered by three triples from Abarrientos en route to a comfortable 21-point cushion, 43-15.
Joshua Fontanilla ended UST's scoring drought with a three of his own but Santiago and Sajonia scored back-to-back baskets for FEU's commanding 29-point lead at the half, 47-18, as the Tamaraws never looked back.
Fontanilla paced the Tigers with 19 points, 13 coming from the payoff period, to go with two rebounds, one assist, and one steal while Nicael Cabañero added 12 points, two rebounds, and two assists.
The Tamaraws will clash with defending champion Ateneo on Tuesday, March 29 at 1 p.m., while the Tigers will cap the quadruple-header against last season's second-seeded team University of the Philippines at 7 p.m.
The scores:
FEU 76 -- Abarrientos 18, Sajonia 12, Ojuola 8, Gravera 6, Coquia 6, Li 5, Bienes 4, Anonuevo 4, Sleat 3, Alforque 2, Dulatre 2, Sandagon 2, Celzo 2, Torres 2, Tempra 0.
UST 51 -- Fontanilla 19, Cabanero 12, Concepcion 7, Gomez de Liano 3, Santos 3, Manalang 3, Ando 2, Manaytay 2, Garing 0, Pangilinan 0, Herrera 0, Canoy 0, Samudio 0.
Quarters: 22-9, 47-18, 60-35, 76-51.