The Far Eastern University Tamaraws bounced back from four straight losses with a bang.
The Tams struck hard with their outside sniping in the first half and earned a needed 80-61 swamping of the University of the East Red Warriors yesterday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
Arvin Tolentino showed the way with 15 points for the Tamaraws, who claimed their first win since their 63-60 upset of the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.
Fil-Kiwi cager Ken Tuffin came up with a career-high 15 points for the Tams, who moved back into contention in the race for a Final Four seat.
In doing so, the Tams came up with their best showing from the three-point range, with their 15-of-30 clip for a 50 percent accuracy that allowed FEU to pull even with their 6-6 win-loss slate in fourth with the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
The Tams came out with guns blazing early, with Tuffin hitting two treys and Arvin Tolentino unloading one during an 11-0 blast that gave FEU control, 14-3, in the last 4:03 of the first period.
Two treys from Brandrey Bienes and Tolentino midway in the second canto allowed FEU to pull away by 21 points, 34-13.
“Definitely, there were doubts nu’ng four-game losing streak namin. But you have to give it to these boys for staying positive,” said FEU coach Olsen Racela.
FEU went on to post its biggest edge at 22 points, 41-19, following Barkley Ebona’s basket with 2:26 left in the half.
With Ebona tallying a double-double of 12 points and 16 rebounds, the Tamaraws took a 11-0 run midway in the third period, to keep their 22-point edge, 54-32, with 5:17 to go.
Alvin Pasaol led the struggling Red Warriors with 24 points.
The Tams played without Prince Orizu, who missed his fourth consecutive game due to a high ankle sprain.
The Red Warriors, who are on a seven-game skid, slipped to 1-11.
Meanwhile, Bright Akhuetie towed the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons to an 83-71 stopping of the National University Bulldogs, Saturday evening at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The De La Salle University Green Archers are also close to a Final Four seat after stopping the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers with their a 110-69 rout.
Aljun Melecio knocked in 22 points for the Green Archers, who upped their record to 7-4 in third spot, moving them one away from clinching a playoff berth.
BOX SCORES:
FEU 80 – Tolentino 18, Tuffin 17, Ebona 12, Bienes 9, Escoto 6, Inigo 6, Gonzales 3, Nunag 3, Parker 2, Stockton 2, Comboy 2, Ramirez 0, Cani 0, Jopia 0.
UE 61 – Pasaol 24, Manalang 6, Varilla 6, Cullar 6, Maloles 4, Bartolome 3, Antiporda 3, Gallardo 3, Sobrevega 3, Gagate 2, Conner 1, Beltran 0, Acuno 0.
Quarterscores: 21-13, 41-26, 63-49, 80-61
