Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — FEU Tamaraws pulled off a come-from-behind 92-81 victory over UE Red Warriors to clinch the top spot in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) on Wednesday (September 23)at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Tamaraws now hold a superior 4-1 win-loss record, thanks in large part to Mac Belo’s Herculean efforts. UE, meanwhile, fell to 2-3.
Belo bounced back from a dismal outing against the UP Fighting Maroons and poured 24 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Spitfire Mike Tolomia added15 points with eight assists.
Banking on experience, FEU used a furious 33-10 fourth quarter to put the stranglehold on the victory.
Down by 11 points, FEU slowly crawled back into the game and tied the contest at 75-all with 5:13 to go. A Belo basket and Tolomia juimper then instigated a 9-0 surge that put the Tamaraws on top for good, 79-75.
Despite its stifling full-court defense, UE failed to recover from there as FEU pulled away for good.
Achie Inigo put the icing on the cake with a pair of shots from the foul line.
FEU will next face Adamson on September 27, while the Warriors will take on De La Salle Green Archers on the same day.
