Far Eastern University averted a third quarter meltdown and fended off De La Salle to eke out a 67-62 win in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Tuesday, April 26.
The Tamaraws waxed hot from beyond the arc anew, shooting 13 of their 27 attempts (48.1 percent) to grab solo fourth seed as of press time at 6-6 record while the Green Archers were still at third but slid to a 7-5 slate.
But De La Salle capitalized on FEU's field goal drought in the third period to erase a 13-point deficit and get a 49-47 lead as the Morayta-based squad went 0-of-13 from the field and were limited to five points, all coming from the free throw line.
"At the half, 'yon ang sinabi ko sa kanila: We have to play 40 minutes of great basketball to beat La Salle," said Tamaraws head coach Olsen Racela. "Medyo we played a bad third quarter. Mainly ano 'yon, sabi ko nga sa kanila, it was not about the offense but it was about the defense.
"And luckily 'yong fourth quarter we stepped it up defensively and we executed on offense, getting the much-needed stops and much-needed baskets also," added the long-time FEU tactician.
RJ Abarrientos caught fire and scored 13 of his 21 points in the first quarter alone. He finished on an 8-of-14 shooting powered by five three-pointers and added three rebounds.
Xyrus Torres contributed 14 points built on four triples and grabbed three rebounds, Patrick Sleat added 10 points four rebounds, while Ljay Gonzales chipped in nine points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.
Tied at 57-all, FEU rallied with a 9-2 run behind the three-point shooting of Torres, Abarrientos, and Sleat to rebuild another seven-point lead, 66-59, with 58.1 ticks left in the payoff period.
Mark Nonoy pumped life for De La Salle after draining two of his three free throws before FEU's James Tempra committed a costly turnover off an inbound play.
Michael Phillips showed poise in the paint and drew a foul only to split his free throws with 7.7 seconds left, 66-62, before Gonzales iced the game with his own free throw.
Evan Nelle paced the Archers with 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists while Justine Baltazar's double-double performance of 13 points, 16 rebounds, and three assists went into naught.
Kurt Lojera added 10 points, seven assists, and four rebounds and Phillips had seven points and eight rebounds.
De La Salle, which played without Deschon Winston due to back spasms, hopes to get a firm grip of the third spot when it takes on Adamson on Thursday, April 28 at their 12:30 p.m. encounter while FEU battles reigning champion Ateneo at 4:30 p.m.
The Scores:
FEU 67 -- Abarrientos 21, Torres 14, Sleat 10, Gonzales 9, Ojuola 4, Sajonia 3, Alforque 2, Tempra 2, Celzo 2, Sandagon 0, Bienes 0.
LA SALLE 62 -- Nelle 15, Baltazar 13, Lojera 10, M. Phillips 7, Nwankwo 6, Nonoy 4, Austria 4, Cuajao 3, Manuel 0, B. Phillips 0, Cu 0, Galman 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 42-29, 47-49, 67-62.