DEFENDING champion Far Eastern University (FEU) leaned on the heroics of Monbert Arong in the dying seconds to escape with a 51-49 win over the upset-conscious University of the Philippines (UP) on Sunday in Season 79 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Arong provided the crucial blows for the Tamaraws, hitting a free throw and a difficult fade-away jumper to give FEU a 50-47 lead with 14.6 seconds left.
Fighting Maroon Javier de Liano Gomez converted in the next play, 49-50, and Jojo Trinidad split his charities for the Tamaraws, 51-49, giving UP another shot to steal the game.
But Dave Moralde’s desperation heave missed the target and FEU pulled off the win to join Adamson University and Ateneo de Manila at second spot with 3-2 win-loss mark.
“It was a struggle but we knew all along that this game would really be difficult especially UP coming off its win versus UE [University of the East],” Tamaraws Head Coach Nas Racela said.
“Kami rin we’re really struggling, leaning on the ropes at this point but I think ‘yung struggle namin today was brought by their coach really focusing on their defense,” he added. “But I’m happy because we limited them to less than 50 [points] today, at least that gave us a chance.”
Arong was the lone FEU player in double figures in scoring with 14 points. Trinidad and Ken Holmqvist chipped in seven points apiece for the Tamaraws, while Raymar Jose had six points and eight rebounds.
UP managed to stay in the game despite shooting poorly from the field, hitting just 22 percent (15-for-68) in the game.
Paul Desiderio had 15 points to lead the Fighting Maroons, who dropped to 1-4. Moralde registered 13 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists and two steals but muffed the potential game-winner.
The Tams led as much as 11 early in the pay-off period, 41-30 on Wendelino Comboy’s three-point shot at the corner. But UP five responded with an 8-0 run to trim the lead to 38-41.
The Fighting Maroons were still in the game on Moralde’s two free throws, 44-45, with 3:34 minutes left, but Ron Dennison scored a nifty lay-up to bring back the FEU lead to three, 47-44.
UP got a big break in the next play when Dennison was ejected in the game for disqualifying foul on Desiderio and the UP guard split his free throws, 45-47, 2:58 to play.
Jett Manuel tied the game with a jumper, 47-all, and both teams exchanged empty possessions before FEU center Prince Orizu had a pair of key blocks in the closing minutes that led to the heroics of Arong.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza