Metro Manila, Philippines – The Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws did their part to stay in contention for the last spot in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Final Four.
The Tamaraws survived a late rally from the Final Four-bound University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers to escape with an 81-79 victory on Wednesday, Nov. 26, in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Jorick Bautista, Mo Konateh, and Luke Felipe each tallied 15 points for FEU.
The Tamaraws had everything going in their direction early in the contest, building a commanding lead that went as high as 23 points in the first half.
The Growling Tigers unleashed a furious run in the fourth quarter, trimming the deficit to single digit.
But FEU built enough cushion to fend off UST’s comeback attempt.
The Tamaraws’ fate now lies in the hands of the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, which will battle the De La Salle University Green Archers in an all-important game later in the day.
A win by the Blue Eagles will create a three-way tie with FEU and La Salle for the fourth seed. In the stepladder scenario, the Tamaraws and Green Archers square off in a knockout match with the winner battling the Blue Eagles for the last Final Four spot.
Gelo Crisosto dropped a game-high 28 points for UST.
