FAR Eastern University (FEU) found themselves at the bottom of the game after Joshua Sinclair dropped two from the free throw line, 46 seconds left on the clock. As time ticked, the FEU crowd clasped their hands together in hopes of a miracle.
Six seconds left, and Monbert Arong faked a shot over towering Alfred Aroga, making some airspace and rose for a baseline jumper, making it past National University (NU) and capped off the game, 57-56 on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Actually, Monbert is playing hurt. Buti na lang nung huli, nagkaroon pa siya ng lakas,” admitted Coach Nash Racela, who was so proud of the FEU guard to have still played well throughout the game despite a sprained ankle.
It was a hard-earned win for the Tamaraws as they trailed behind NU in the third quarter, with an 11-points difference, but Arong put in a three in the basket that placed FEU into a 22-8 run with them on top once again, 55-52.
However, NU was no team to look down on, as they battled back with great defense and Sinclair’s perfect free throw shots.
After graduating guard Arong shot three, 3.7 seconds was left on the clock and it was a chance for NU to turn the lead back to their side. But Aroga’s long two-point shot missed the mark and left NU defeated with a point deficit.
“NU made good adjustments for today’s game. They made it really hard for us to execute. They made adjustments na nahirapan kami to defend them,” Racela pointed out.
The defending champions made it through to their fifth straight victory in the UAAP Men’s Basketball tournament, which the last two came from NU, whom they defeated last Wednesday 78-75. They are still trailing behind DLSU in the team standings.
Raymar Jose had 14 points and 12 rebounds for FEU, while hero Arong finished off with 13 points.
NU standout J-jay Alejandro, who scored a career-high 31 against FEU in the first round, only brought 7 points in the game. While Aroga was the lone double-digit scorer with 22 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks.
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