By Aimerose C. Atienza

The three consecutive treys in the last minutes of the game made the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws seal their victory against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 67-62, in their second round matchup in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 men’s basketball tourney, April 26 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

With this win, Tamaraws now have a strong chance to be in the Final Four and keep their seven straight years of appearance in the Final Four alive.

After generating a 13-point lead at the end of the first half, 42-29, the Tamaraws had a hard time delivering on both ends of the court which the Archers took advantage of to limit the men of Morayta to just five points in the third canto, 47-49.

Both teams had a back-and-forth affair upon entering the final frame, but FEU pulled away to create a seven-point deficit courtesy of the successive three-point shots of Xyrus Torres, RJ Abarrientos, and Patrick Sleat who all chipped in double-digit scoring in the match. FEU also shot 40% on the perimeter and 48% from beyond the arc.

“Luckily in the fourth quarter, we stepped up on defense and executed on offense so nasuwerte rin kami (we were lucky) because La Salle didn't have Winston today, so we just took advantage of it,” Head Coach Olsen Racela said.

Super rookie Abarrientos produced 21 points, while Torres and Sleat had 14 points and 10 points respectively to avenge their first round loss against the green-and-white squad.

The Morayta dribblers now sealed a 6-6 win-loss record and maintained a stronger chance to continue its Final Four streak in the UAAP.

“‘Yun ang primary goal namin eh (Our primary goal is) to get to the Final Four. Right now, it’s within reach. Hindi namin masyadong pinapansin ‘yung mga ibang teams, ang inaalala lang namin right now is ‘yung sarili namin (We do not mind the other teams, we only worry about ourselves right now). We take care of our games, we take care of business [then] we get to the Final Four,” Racela added.

FEU will try to extend its winning streak to four against the undefeated Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Blue Eagles on April 28 at the same venue.

(Photo by Andrea Joy Gonzales/FEU Advocate)