By Aimerose C. Atienza

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws’ late end game run was not enough to beat the defending champions Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Blue Eagles, 70-79, in their first meeting in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season 84 men’s basketball tournament last March 29 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“It was a challenge playing against Ateneo. We learned a lot of things about ourselves, with the coach, your team, and of course, we were hoping for a victory but gano’n talaga eh (that’s how it is),” FEU Head Coach Olsen Racela said during the UAAP post-game conference.

Ateneo’s Tyler Tio turned the game around with a 17-point performance in the third quarter alone, turning a 10-point lead at halftime into a 21-point lead, 63-42, which he almost matched FEU’s 19 total points in the period.

The Tamaraws gave the Blue Eagles a scare after a 15-five run in the final frame to cut down the double-digit lead to six, 72-66. However, it was not enough as the time was not on FEU’s side.

However, FEU’s speed could not keep up with Ateneo’s fast offense and tight defense, securing their 28-game winning streak for the Baldwin-led squad.

“Marami pa rin naman dapat trabahuhin sa (There are still a lot to work on in the) team so we move on then we give our best sa trabaho (in our work),” Abarrientos mentioned.

RJ Abarrientos led the Tamaraws with 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Emman Ojoula chipped in with a monster double-double of 15 points and 17 rebounds for the Morayta-based squad.

FEU’s veteran guard LJay Gonzales showed rustiness in his debut for the season with four points on 2/9 shooting, but the green-and-gold missed the presence of Cholo Anonuevo who had to rest after an injury he suffered in their season opener. 

“Hindi pa siya (He is still not) a hundred percent [in his performance] pero (but) we needed him today,” Racela talking about Gonzales. 

The FEU Tamaraws now has a 1-1 win-loss record and will try to redeem themselves against the De La Salle University Green Archers on March 31 at the same venue.

(Photo courtesy of the UAAP)