Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 5) – Gunner Xyrus Torres delivered his best game so far as a collegiate player as he led the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in clobbering the University of the East Red Warriors, 88-74, in UAAP Season 84 on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Torres tallied a career-high 26 points, highlighted by eight triples, to help end Tamaraws’ three-game losing streak and improve the team’s record to 2-3.
FEU big man Emman Ojuola also had a remarkable outing with a double-double performance of 18 points and 19 rebounds.
Right from the get-go, the Tamaraws dominated the game with strong offensive firepower and relentless defense carried throughout the contest.
The Olsen Racela-mentored FEU side erected a 23-point advantage in the second half as they dictated the tempo en route to victory.
UE made a late run in the final period and narrowed FEU’s lead to 10 points, but it was not enough to save the team from a blowout loss.
The Tamaraws won with a 41% field goal shooting percentage against the Red Warriors’ 32.4% clip. They also dominated in rebounding (60-36) and fastbreak points (18-2).
Interestingly, the Red Warriors’ bench players scored more than their starters, 47-27. Their defeat buried them deeper in the team standings with a 0-5 record.
Kris Pagsanjan was the lone standout for UE with 23 points as assistant coach Jamike Jarin took the place of suspended head coach Jack Santiago.
FEU is facng Adamson University on Saturday, 7 p.m., while UE will continue to search for a win against league leader Ateneo De Manila University in the 4 p.m. match.
The Scores:
FEU 88 – Torres 26, Ojuola 18, Gonzales 13, Sajonia 7, Alforque 6, Sandagon 6, Coquia 3, Abarrientos 2, Bienes 2, Sleat 2, Li 2, Celzo 1, Tempra 0, Gravera 0
UE 74 – Pagsanjan 23, Sawat 8, Guevarra 7, Catacutan 7, Antiporda 6, N. Paranada 5, Beltran 4, Abatayo 4, Villanueva 3, J. Cruz 3, Escamis 2, Lorenzana 2, Tulabut 0, K. Paranada 0, P. Cruz 0
Quarterscores: 20-6, 40-22, 57-45, 88-74
