Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 26) — The Far Eastern University Tamaraws boosted their Final Four chances after beating the De La Salle University Green Archers, 67-62, on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Tamaraws now have won their third straight game to improve their win-loss slate to 6-6 and tighten their grip on the fourth spot. DLSU, on the other hand, suffered its second consecutive loss to fall to 7-5 and third in the team standings.
Rookie guard RJ Abarrientos showed the way for FEU with 21 points, three rebounds, and two assists.
The Green Archers unleashed a flurry of attacks as they scored 16 unanswered points to tie the game at 42.
It was a third quarter nightmare for FEU who went 0-for-13 from the field in the period, scoring only five points off free throws.
A barrage of triples in a 9-2 swing was what the Tamaraws needed in the final frame to secure the victory.
Xyrus Torres contributed 14 points and three rebounds, while Patrick Sleat chipped in 10 points for FEU.
Evan Nelle and Justine Baltazar paced La Salle with 15 points and 13 points, respectively.
The Tamaraws, the last team to beat reigning champion Ateneo in 2018, shoot for an upset against the Blue Eagles on April 28. Meanwhile, the Green Archers face the rising Adamson University in a crucial meeting on the same day.
The scores:
FEU (67) — Abarrientos 21, Torres 14, Sleat 10, Gonzales 9, Ojuola 4, Sajonia 3, Alforque 2, Tempra 2, Celzo 2, Sandagon 0, Bienes 0.
La Salle (62) — Nelle 15, Baltazar 13, Lojera 10, M. Phillips 7, Nwankwo 6, Nonoy 4, Austria 4, Cuajao 3, Manuel 0, B. Phillips 0, Cu 0, Galman 0.
Quarterscores: 25-15, 42-29, 47-49, 67-62.
