By Andrei M. Barrantes

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws kicked off their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 men’s 3x3 basketball tournament with a 21-17 win and a 16-17 loss today, April 28, at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City.

The Tamaraws ticked off a victory early at the expense of Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Blue Eagles. Their high-scoring shootout was marked by double-digit attempts beyond the arc by both squads.

Janrey Pasaol led the shootout with 10 points built on four two-pointers, while Veejay Pre flanked his running mate with eight points.

The Blue Eagles, on the other hand, were unable to match Pasaol’s firepower. On 11 attempts by both teams, AdMU only connected on four of them. 

Despite the promising start, the Morayta squad fizzled out in their second match of the day against the equally potent University of the East (UE). Both east teams relied heavily on the perimeter, easily doubling their two-point attempts with 23 from FEU and 19 from UE.

Lead changes ensued until the final seconds of the game, and Pasaol managed a cleanup down low to take the one-point lead.

However, the young Tamaraw guard’s heroics were quickly erased after UE’s Wello Lingolingo connected on a two-pointer at the top of the key, dooming the Tams to a 1-1 win-loss record.

Pre logged a seven-point, seven-rebound performance, while Pasaol cooled down with just five points.

3x3 festivities continue tomorrow, April 29, against University of the Philippines at the same venue.

(Photo courtesy of the UAAP Media Team)