By Aimerose C. Atienza

The Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws encountered an upsetting loss against the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons, 63-64, after a clutch three by Matty Erolon in the final 10 seconds of the match to avenge their first round defeat back in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tourney, April 12 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Adamson squad already established an 11-point gap against the Morayta dribblers early on in the game. However, FEU’s veteran guard LJay Gonzales registered eight points in the second frame to cut the lead down by two, 34-38.

It was a back-and-forth affair for both teams in the second half with the green-and-gold team able to squeak in a two-point lead towards the last minute of the game, 63-61.

With 10 seconds left on the clock, Adamson’s rookie Erolon splashed a game-winning trey courtesy of an assist from Jerom Lastimosa to secure the win for the San Marcelino squad, 63-64.

“Para sa akin, lesson learned po ‘yung nangyari sa amin against Adamson. Ilang seconds na lang, nag-give up pa kami sa huli kaya iyon dapat ‘yung ma-adapt namin, ‘yung hindi kami susuko hanggang sa dulo (For me, what happened against Adamson was a lesson learned. A few seconds left and we even gave up in the end so that is what we should adapt, we should not give up until the end),” Gonzales said in an interview with FEU Advocate.

Gonzales came off with another season-high of 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists in the game. Prized rookie RJ Abarrientos also chipped in a 15-point performance with four rebounds and four assists, while Xyrus Torres was only limited to eight points with zero out of two from beyond the arc.

With the loss, the Tamaraws are now at a 3-5 win-loss record in the collegiate league.

“Ganu’n na talaga ‘yung game, nangyari na, hindi na mababalik. Kailangan lang namin tanggapin iyon at gawin naming motivation ‘yung nangyari sa game para sa next game namin, kailangan talaga namin maging consistent sa defense namin hanggang sa final buzzer (The game really turned out that way, it already happened and we cannot go back. We just have to accept it and use that as a motivation so that in our next game, we can be consistent in our defense until the final buzzer),” Gonzales shared.

The Olsen Racela-led team will try to bounce back against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons - who defeated them in the first round - on April 19 at the same venue.

(Photo courtesy of The UAAP)