The FEU Tamaraws remain in the running for a possible playoff for the last Final Four spot in UAAP men's basketball after taking care of business against the UST Growling Tigers.
Far Eastern University avoided a meltdown as it held off University of Santo Tomas, 81-79, to fan its flickering Final Four hopes in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao Wednesday, Nov. 26.
The Tamaraws, up by as many as 23 points, 43-20, in the first half, had to weather a fourth-quarter storm from the Growling Tigers before stretching their win run to three for an even 7-7 card at fifth behind fourth-running La Salle (7-6).
FEU will hope that the Green Archers lose against Ateneo (6-7 at sixth) in the second match to force a triple tie for the last semis spot. If this happens, they will engage in a stepladder play-in for the right to the fourth seed.
UST slid to 8-6 but remained at third.
[RELATED STORY: Back to work for UST as Tigresses wait for Finals foe after UAAP elims sweep]
The Tigers stepped on the gas in the payoff period, with Collins Akowe and Nic Cabañero powering the squad to within one point, 79-80, with 2.4 seconds left.
But FEU hit a charity, and there was not just enough time for UST to thoroughly flip the script in the end.
The Tamaraws rode the hot hand of Luke Felipe in the first half, knocking down four from three-point land in the second quarter alone for his team to enjoy a commanding 21-point lead at the break, 46-25.
The Tigers were up and running after the break, unleashing a 16-2 start to close in at 41-48, but FEU hit the brakes on its foe.
A 15-5 run by the Tamaraws capped by a Jorick Bautista triple pushed their lead back to double digits, 63-46, with 32 ticks left in the third quarter.
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Luisa Morales is a sportswriter with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.