Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 7) – Prolific guard RJ Abarrientos delivered the game-winning triple to lift the Far Eastern University Tamaraws past the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 66-65, in UAAP Season 84 action on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Abarrientos, who led the Tamaraws with 17 points, raced past the towering Falcons defender JM Sabandal from the top of the key and made the running rainbow shot, thanks to a screen from Emman Ojuola.
Prior to the Abarrientos game winner, the Olsen Racela-mentored FEU side mounted a 12-3 scoring run in the last three minutes to spice up the match.
Xyrus Torres, who finished with 13 markers, banked a three-pointer and a pair of free throws in the big comeback by the Tamaraws.
But after Torres made the crucial points, the Falcons muffed two three-point attempts and an open shot in the paint.
LJ Gonzales gave the lead to FEU, 63-62, via an inside shot off a backdoor cut with over 32 seconds remaining in the game.
Adamson guard Jerom Lastimosa reclaimed the lead, 65-63, with a big trey that prompted Racela to call timeout before Abarrientos sank the game-winning shot.
Lastimosa, who had 16 points for Adamson, had a chance to win the game in the final possession, but his three-pointer went short as the buzzer expired.
FEU tied with National University in fourth place of the team standings with a 3-3 record while Adamson dropped to seventh place with 1-5 slate as they suffered their fourth straight loss.
The Tamaraws will close their first round campaign against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (5-1) on Saturday at 7 p.m., while the Falcons will battle De La Salle University Green Archers (4-2) in the 1 p.m. game.
The Scores:
FEU 66 – Abarrientos 17, Gonzales 16, Torres 13, Tempra 6, Ojuola 4, Alforque 3, Bienes 3, Sandagon 3, Li 1, Sajonia 0, Coquia 0, Celzo 0
ADAMSON 65 – Lastimosa 16, Manzano 12, Douanga 10, Magbuhos 8, Yerro 6, Sabandal 4, Colonia 4, Zaldivar 3, Hanapi 2, Peromingan 0, Barasi 0, Jaymalin 0
Quarterscores: 13-9, 26-28, 46-43, 66-65
