By NIKOLE JAVIER
Bryan Sajonia scored 23 points to power Far Eastern University over the skidding University of Santo Tomas, 75-60, and pick up its first win in six outings in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday night, Oct. 19, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Determined to finally break the losing spell this season, the Tamaraws went up by 15 after a Sajonia triple at the 6:01 mark of the fourth quarter, 63-48, to give themselves the gap which they protected until the end.
Trying to fight back, Migs Pangilinan and Jamba Garing pulled the Growling Tigers within 10, which was the closest they could get in the final stretch as they missed Adama Faye who served a one-game suspension after committing a “flagrant unsportsmanlike foul" against University of the East last Oct. 16.
In the final minute, Xyrus Torres launched a three-pointer to seal the first win of the Tamaraws. He tallied 17 points built on five triples while Ljay Gonzales had 17 points as well.
Now tied with a 1-5 card, FEU and UST crowd the bottom of the standings.
“‘Yon ‘yong maganda sa panalo namin. Everyone really showed up and played. In the past games namin, bilang. So ngayon collective effort from the team,” said FEU head coach Olsen Racela.
Nic Cabañero paced UST awith 20 points, five rebounds and five assists.
The Scores:
FEU 75 -- Sajonia 23, Torres 17, Gonzales 17, Sandagon 6, Anonuevo 5, Alforque 3, Tempra 2, Bagunu 2, Sleat 0, Celzo 0, Tchuente 0, Bautista 0, Guibao 0.
UST 60 -- Cabanero 20, Lazarte 8, Manaytay 7, Mantua 7, Pangilinan 6, Calimag 5, HErrera 3, Garing 2, Manalang 2, Duremdes 0, Laure 0.
Quarters: 19-14, 40-33, 55-42, 75-60