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Far Eastern University used a torrid start and got back at University of the East, 59-51, to boost its Final Four bid in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Sunday.
This victory improved the Tamaraws’ record to 4-7 for joint-fifth with the Adamson Soaring Falcons.
They are 3-1 in the second round with their lone loss coming against University of Santo Tomas, where Veejay Pre dropped a career-high 31 points.
“Pagkatapos nga ng first round sabi ni coach Sean mag-iiba kami sa second round, na mas magiging hungry kami sa wins. Proud na proud ako sa team namin kasi sa practice pa lang work hard na talaga kami and disciplined,” said Pre, who delivered 20 points and eight rebounds.
FEU, which has already matched last season’s win total, has been solid in the second round.
“This is what I felt we’re going to be in the second round. This is the team I expect from us. We’ve been practicing so amazingly the past two weeks,” said FEU coach Sean Chambers. “Unfortunately, and I don’t want to make an excuse but this is an excuse, we all came down with an illness the game for UST.”
FEU raced to a 23-9 lead in the opening period after shooting a hot 10-of-13 from the field with Veejay Pre scoring eight points, Cholo Anonuevo making five, and Jorick Bautista contributing four.
The Tamaraws’ defense was also impressive as they held the Red Warriors to a dismal 4-of-21 mark from the field as Precious Momowei, Rainer Maga, Jack Cruz-Dumont, and Nico Mulingtapang accounted for those with one made each.
UE’s struggle in offense was a continuation from its last game against Adamson, where it only managed to score 37 points on 26.3 percent shooting.
The Red Warriors dropped their second straight game, falling to 6-5 but still at third. UE’s loss also gave De La Salle University (10-1) the first twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.
Momowei played the entire game and dropped 18 points and 21 rebounds despite the loss. Maga also had 12 points and 11 rebounds.
John Abate was held to seven points on 3-of-10 shooting from the field while Wello Lingolingo only made two of his 10 attempts for just five points.
The scores:
FEU 59 – Pre 20, Bautista 12, Alforque 9, Pasaol 7, Añonuevo 5, Daa 3, Konateh 3, Montemayor 0, Ona 0, Nakai 0.
UE 51 – Momowei 18, Maga 12, Abate 7, Lingolingo 5, J. Cruz-Dumont 4, Fikes 3, Mulingtapang 2, Wilson 0, Galang 0, H. Cruz-Dumont 0.
Quarters: 23-9, 34-20, 47-34, 59-51.