L-jay Gonzales erupted with 21 points to lift Far Eastern University past defending champion Ateneo, 66-61, in overtime and end its four-game losing streak in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

The Tamaraws finally barged into the winning column after five games to improve 1-4 in the standings.

It was also FEU’s first win against Ateneo since 2018, which couldn't have come in the most perfect time. 

Last season, the Tamaraws started their campaign with a 0-5 record before going on a four-game winning run. 

Gonzales delivered 21 points and seven rebounds including back-to-back step-back jumpers that broke the deadlock in overtime and gave FEU a four-point lead, 63-59. 

Xyrus Torres, for his part, contributed 13 points. 

FEU squandered a 52-37 advantage as Ateneo fought back to send the game into overtime. 

However, the Tamaraws remained upbeat heading into the extra period despite being held scoreless in the last six minutes of the regulation before James Tempra opened the scoring with a layup, 59-all. 

With 1:11 left in the extra period, Gonzales launched a jumper before Ateneo committed another costly turnover that he converted into another basket, 63-59. 

Torres then was sent to the line and made both free throws, stretching FEU’s lead to 65-59. 

Any last-ditch efforts from the Ateneo side went nowhere as the game was as good as done at that point. 

“Against Ateneo pa [kami nanalo]. Ganda ng team effort from coaching staff to the players and the management, tulong tulong. Makapanalo kami at least isa kasi alam namin sa sarili namin bound to win na kami nung mga [previous] games eh,” said FEU head coach Denok Miranda. 

Jared Brown paced the Blue Eagles with 18 points on a 7-of-12 shooting clip, while Kai Ballungay had 12 points and seven rebounds in the losing cause. 

Ateneo absorbed a 2-3 record in what seemd to be an up-and-down start to the season. 

The Scores:  

FEU 66 - Gonzales 21, Torres 13, Sleat 9, Tempra 8, Alforque 4, Bagunu 4, Competente 4, Ona 2, Faty 1, Bautista 0, Buenaventura 0, Montemayor 0, Felipe 0.

Ateneo 61 - Brown 18, Ballungay 12, Espinosa 8, Koon 8, Nieto 3, Credo 2, Obasa 2, Gomez 2, Bongo 2, Lazaro 2, Amos 2, Tuano 0, Chiu 0.

Quarterscores: 11-13, 30-26, 45-37, 57-57, 66-61