Far Eastern University unloaded a barrage of threes in the first half and torched University of the East with a 30-point beating, 91-61, in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Saturday night, April 23.
The Tamaraws shot a total of 16 threes out of 37, producing 43.2 shooting percentage from beyond the arc to propel them to a share at fourth place with the Adamson Soaring Falcons at 5-6 record.
RJ Abarrientos and Xyrus Torres waxed hot at the three-point line in the first half as FEU pulled away for good with a 53-26 cushion.
The Tamaraws showed no mercy and led by as many as 39 points, 91-52, in the payoff period which was too much to overcome for the Red Warriors.
"One game at a time pa rin kami, I'm sure 'yon din ang focus ng Adamson at NU (National University). Ang focus namin ngayon ay La Salle," said FEU head coach Olsen Racela.
Bryan Sajonia led FEU with 17 points, Torres fired 15 points built on four triples and four rebounds, while Patrick Sleat had a huge contribution with 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Abarrientos added 12 points on top of four three-pointers and four rebounds while Ljay Gonzales chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds as the Tamaraws' backcourt duo regained their shooting form.
Nico Paranada paced the Warriors, who remained winless in 11 straight games, with 15 points and three rebounds while Harvey Pagsanjan had 10 points and four rebounds.
FEU will face De La Salle on Tuesday, April 26 at the 10 a.m. curtain-raiser in the hopes of tightening its grip for the Final Four while UE takes on second-seeded University of the Philippines at 12:30 p.m.
The Scores:
FEU 91 -- Sajonia 17, Torres 15, Sleat 12, Abarrientos 12, Gonzales 10, Gravera 7, Tempra 5, Celzo 5, Alforque 2, Ojuola 2, Li 2, Sandagon 2, Bienes 0, Dulatre 0.
UE 61 -- N. Paranada 15, Pagsanjan 10, K. Paranada 7, Catacutan 7, Antiporda 6, Villanueva 5, Beltran 4, P. Cruz 2, Guevarra 2, J. Cruz 2, Escamis 1, Abatayo 0, Sawat 0, Tulabut 0, Lorenzana 0, Pascual 0.
Quarters: 24-7, 53-26, 73-40, 91-61.