Royce Alforque and Jorick Bautista emerged in the clutch as Far Eastern University held off National University, 65-58, to log its second straight win in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Wednesday.
It was first-year coach Sean Chambers’ first winning streak for the Tamaraws, as the team’s chemistry is getting there boosted by the return of veteran
Cholo Añonuevo after missing most of the first round to injury.
“I don’t want to sound like a broken record but like I said a couple weeks back, this second round will be a lot different for us. We’re getting comfortable and acclimated. We’re understating our goals and our game plans,” said Chambers as FEU improved to 3-6 overall.
With the Bulldogs just within a point, Alforque went for back-to-back layups off the board to extend the Tamaraws’ lead to five with 1:19 left in the fourth quarter.
PJ Palacielo quickly answered on the other end with a deuce but Jorick Bautista nailed the dagger stepback triple with 9.7 seconds left for FEU’s third win.
It was a dominant fourth period performance for the Tamaraws, outscoring the Bulldogs, 21-10, to avenge their 60-62 first round loss.
NU went down to last place at 2-7.
Gambian center Mo Konateh continued to be the biggest presence for the Tamaraws with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks, while Bautista backed him up with 17 points.
Veejay Pre added 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Alforque had nine points, seven rebounds, two steals, and a block.
“Instinct lang talaga. Si Jorick dinideny talaga eh sa akin napupunta ‘yung bola so talagang nag-isip na lang ako ng paraan,” said Alforque on his big shots.
Both teams will have long rest as NU will return to action on Oct. 26 against University of the East while FEU will be back on Oct. 27 against University of Santo Tomas, both at the same bayside Pasay venue.
Jolo Manansala paced the Bulldogs with 11 points and four rebounds, Palacielo chipped in 10 points and six rebounds, and Jake Figueroa managed nine points and 13 rebounds.
The Scores:
FEU 65 – Konateh 22, Bautista 17, Pre 12, Alforque 9, Montemayor 2, Pasaol 2, Ona 1, Anonuevo 0, Daa 0, Nakai 0.
NU 58 – Manansala 11, Palacielo 10, Figueroa 9, Garcia 8, Jumamoy 6, Francisco 5, Perciano 4, Parks 3, Enriquez 2, Yu 0, Padrones 0, Lim 0, Santiago 0, Dela Cruz 0, Tulabut 0.
Quarterscores: 10-12, 29-24, 44-48, 65-58.
