Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 1) – The Far Eastern University Tamaraws clinched the last Final Four berth in UAAP Season 84 after demolishing the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 109-65, on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Bryan Sajonia tallied game-high 27 points while RJ Abarrientos added 11 markers, nine rebounds, and six assists as the Morayta-based cagers finished with a 7-7 slate.
Right from the start, FEU asserted their domination against UST with their superior shooting of almost 52% from the field.
The Tamaraws also shot 13 triples compared to the Growling Tigers’ six and outrebounded the losing team, 56-39.
The well-disciplined teamwork inside the court was also displayed by the Olsen Racela-mentored Tamaraws as they tallied 31 assists, while the Tigers only had 10.
FEU also got a big boost from their bench, who scored 72 of their total points in the lopsided match.
UST failed to aver the bleeding in the second half as FEU recorded their biggest lead at 44 points.
Royce Alforque and LJ Gonzales chipped in 10 points each in the elims-closing win of the Tamaraws.
Nic Cabanero led UST with 16 points while Joshua Fontanilla finished with 13 points and four steals as they bowed out of the tournament with a six-game losing streak and a 3-9 slate. The Tigers only won a single game in the second round of the elimination phase.
The Scores:
FEU 109 – Sajonia 27, Abarrientos 11, Alforque 10, Gonzales 10, Sleat 9, Ojoula 8, Torres 8, Bienes 8, Celzo 6, Gravera 5, Dulatre 2, Sandagon 2, Tempra 2, Li 1, Coquia 0.
UST 65 – Cabañero 16, Fontanilla 13, Concepcion 10, Manalang 6, Manaytay 5, Pangilinan 5, Canoy 4, Gomez de Liaño 3, Ando 2, Garing 1, Herrera 0, Yongco 0, Gesalem 0, Mantua 0.
Quarterscores: 22-15, 49-34, 74-47, 109-65
The Tamaraws grabbed the last Final Four ticket after the De La Salle Green Archers defeated the National University Bulldogs, which fell to a 6-8 slate.
