Xyrus Torres sank a triple from the right wing with 2.2 seconds remaining to lift Far Eastern University over National University, 59-57, in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Thursday, April 21.
Torres made up for the dismal shooting of Tamaraws backcourt duo in Ljay Gonzales and RJ Abarrientos as the Morayta-based squad heaved a sigh of relief after ending its three-game skid and equalizing the Bulldogs with a 4-6 record.
It was Emmanuel Ojoula who initially paved the way for Torres' game-winning shot after getting a crucial steal with 20 seconds left off an NU fastbreak play.
Torres was wide open in the same spot but missed his first attempt before Gonzales secured an offensive rebound, enabling him to lure the defense and create space anew for the sophomore sharpshooter.
With the game at striking distance, NU's John Lloyd Clemente had a chance from beyond the arc but desperately attempted to draw a foul on Torres' pesky defense off a Shaun Ildefonso inbound pass.
For FEU head coach Olsen Racela, it all boiled down to a simple matter of trust and character.
"Heto 'yong crucial na game na kailangan naming ipanalo... We really needed this win because NU 'yong hinahabol namin," said Racela. "I'm just so proud of the way we played today. We did not give up especially in the second half."
Torres led all scorers with 16 points built by four triples, Ojuola had another double-double performance of 11 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, while Ximone Sandagon chipped in 10 points.
Gonzales was limited to seven points but added eight assists while Abarrientos only had three for the Tamaraws.
NU only scored eight points in the payoff period which included five free throws and Michael Malonzo's completed and-one play en route to a 57-55 lead before crunch time.
FEU earlier uncorked a commanding 15-3 blitz behind the efforts of Ojuola, Gonzales, Torres, and James Tempra to lead by one point only, 55-54, before Malonzo halted the Tamaraws' run.
Clemente, meanwhile, was the lone Bulldog to register double-digits with 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
The Scores:
FEU 59 -- Torres 16, Ojuola 11, Sandagon 10, Gonzales 7, Tempra 4, Sleat 3, Abarrientos 3, Bienes 2, Alforque 2, Li 1, Celzo 0, Sajonia 0.
NU 57 -- Clemente 13, Ildefonso 9, Joson 8, Minerva 6, Malonzo 5, Felicilda 5, Torres 3, Figueroa 2, Gaye 2, Mahinay 2, Manansala 2, Yu 0, Enriquez 0.
Quarters: 14-15, 22-33, 40-49, 59-57.