The Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws claimed another win after a heroic 3-point shot from RJ Abarrientos against the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons, 66-65, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season 84 men’s basketball tournament last April 7 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The action-packed fourth quarter paraded much-needed clutch baskets on both teams, with Adamson's Jerom Lastimosa firing a trey with 20 seconds left in the clock forcing the green-and-gold squad petrified of yet another loss in the making.

Abarrientos sealed the game-winning three to take a one-point lead with nine seconds left in the game to secure the Tamaraw’s two straight wins after a horrendous start in the season. RJ Abarrientos topped the scoring board for the Tamaraws with 17 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.

LJ Gonzales, who gave the lead in the last stretch, 63-62, finished the game with 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Xyrus Torres was also vital in this close-fitting match, trailing 13 points 60% from the field.

“Well, we all know basketball is a game of runs, so we were down eight, last five minutes, so we made the last run thanks to these two guys (Abarrientos and Torres) they delivered production, offensive production when we needed it, and then finally ‘yung kailangan namin magstop nakuha na namin ‘yung stop (and then finally when we needed to make a stop, we got the stop), when we needed to score, we made baskets, so this should really us on moving forward. Mga games na ganito makakatulong sa amin (Games like this will help us)”, Olsen Racela said.

Lastimosa had another chance to bring the win to the Falcons, but it was short. He led Adamson with 16 points, six boards, and three assists along with an efficient 54.5% from the field.

The Morayta dribblers now sport a 3-3 win-loss card with a momentum of two straight wins. They will look to close the first round strong against the second-seeded University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons on April 9 at the same venue.

- Adrian Earl E. Taruc

(Photo courtesy of The UAAP)