9 September 2018
By Maxine Louise Lagman
Manila, Philippines – Far Eastern University relied on their shooters and strong defenders when they defeated the De La Salle University, 68-61, in their first game at the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Thanks to the heroics of Arvin Tolentino, the Tamaraws nabbed their first win against the Archers in three years.
Tolentino led the Tamaraws coming into the fourth quarter as they removed themselves from a 48-all dreadlock.
Santi Santillan answered back with his own baskets for La Salle and put them up by one in the last five minutes of the game, 56-55. However, Tolentino was right before him and shot a triple to take back the lead to the Tamaraws, 58-56.
CJ Parker and Hubert Cani continued what Tolentino started and made back-to-back baskets for a 7-0 run, which eventually stopped DLSU and sealed the win for the Tams.
Tolentino paved the way for FEU with 13 points and four rebounds, while Kenneth Tuffin chipped in 11 markers.
Axel Inigo added 10 points for the win.
Santillan led La Salle with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Aljun Melecio had 11 points as they suffered their first loss without big man Ben Mbala and former coach Aldin Ayo.
The Scores:
FEU 68 – Tolentino 13, Tuffin 11, Inigo 10, Comboy 9, Stockton 9, Cani 7, Parker 5, Ebona 2, Escoto 2, Orizu 0
LA SALLE 61 – Santillan 19, Melecio 11, Caracut 9, Baltazar 8, Montalbo 5, Serrano 3, Bates 2, Samuel 2, Manuel 1, Dyke 1, Go 0, Corteza 0, Capacio 0
QUARTER SCORES: 11-14, 25-26, 48-48, 68-61
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