UAAP Final Four: FEU nullifies Ateneo twice-to-beat edge to force rubber match, 80-67

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 19) — The Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws condemned the Ateneo Blue Eagles to their second defeat in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 with a 80-67 victory on Sunday at the Big Dome.

The win saw the Tamaraws blow away Ateneo’s twice-to-beat advantage in their Final Four matchup, to force a decisive second game.

But FEU isn’t resting on its laurels.

“We havent done anything yet, ang nakuha lang namin was to take away that twice to beat advantage of Ateneo,” FEU head coach Olsen Racela said after the game.

Ron Dennison led FEU with 17 markers and eight rebounds, while Arvin Tolentino added 13 points of his own.

With the season hanging in the balance, the Tamaraws battled to cradle a 21-15 advantage after the opening frame.

Ateneo was able to wrestle back the lead, 29-28, in the second frame, but fell victim to a 7-0 FEU charge to concede the advantage, 36-29.

FEU saw their cushion trimmed down to 38-35 at the half, but used a hot third period to create a sizable lead.

In the third quarter, the Tamaraws outscored Ateneo, 21-13, to erect a 59-48 advantage going into the payoff period.

The Morayta-based outfit would not be denied, as they continued to lord over their counterparts in the final 10 minutes to force a winner-take-all encounter for the final championship berth.

Thirdy Ravena paced Ateneo with 17 points in the losing effort.

Ateneo’s methodical offense is ranked second best in the league, averaging over 87.8 points per game after the elimination round.

It was FEU’s stout defense that gave them the impetus to grab the victory, but they know that they will have to do more if they want to barge into the championship series.

“Ang focus talaga namin is how to stop the very disciplined offense ng Ateneo. I think we did that today,” Racela said. “I think it is not going to be enough on Wednesday, so kailangan kami mag hanap ng ibang paraan.”

The Tamaraws get the chance to seal their place in the Finals on Wednesday afternoon at the Mall of Asia Arena.