By Aimerose C. Atienza

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws’ reliable gunner Xyrus Torres produced 22 points to lead the team on a comeback victory over the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 75-68, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 men’s basketball tourney at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City earlier today, October 30.

The Tamaraws were off to a bad start after the Red Warriors pressed their offense to trail by a 15-point deficit in the first quarter, 8-23.

Torres showered treys to steal the momentum from the Recto-based squad and lead by five points at the end of the third quarter, 55-50.

With the slow start, Torres felt a mixture of happiness and lack of contentment with their delivery on the court.

“Syempre, masaya kasi nakabawi kami pero syempre, hindi pa rin contented sa start namin (Of course, we're happy because we recovered, but of course, we're still not content with our start),” he said.

The green-and-gold squad continued to pull away in the fourth quarter to secure their third straight win of the season

During the post-game conference, FEU Head Coach Olsen Racela credited the team’s defensive stance in the second half which paved the way for their victory against UE.

“We got caught off guard sa start nila (with their start) and we weren’t expecting that… My players stuck to the game plan, nagka-ano lang kami in the start, nagkaproblema lang (we just had a problem in the start). It was really our team defense that gave us that win,” Racela stated.

Aside from executing a stellar offensive performance, Torres also had five steals in their second-round opening match.

Racela also acknowledged during the post-game conference that Torres played quality minutes for the Morayta-based squad.

“Sabi ko [kay Xyrus], hindi lang naman shoot[ing] ang tinitingnan natin  (I told [Xyrus] that we are not just looking at the shooting) and he was really consistent in his defense... He served his minutes,” he remarked.

FEU is now on a three-game winning streak, sporting a 3-5 win-loss record, and will seek to gain another win against the De La Salle University Green Archers on Wednesday, November 2, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

(Photo courtesy of The UAAP)