By Jun Ray Navarres
Far Eastern University rammed onto the Ateneo de Manila University for their first win in UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament, 66-61 in MOA Arena, Saturday afternoon.
LJ Gonzales and the Tamaraws scored the greatest upset in the tournament, scoring a win over the Season 85 defending champions despite the latter’s effort to topple the 15-point deficit of the former at the fourth period.
“Ang ganda (ng panalo) namin dahil as in total team effort, coaching staff, players, management tulong tulong kami para makapanalo kami at least isa. Alam namin sa sarili namin bound to win na kami nung mga succeeding games, eh,” said first-time UAAP and FEU head coach Denok Miranda.
Gonzales had a chance to end the game with a fadeaway but missed the shot. Ian Espinosa secured the ball with less than 9 ticks left on the clock to which Royce Alforque defended intelligently, avoiding the foul and sending the game into overtime, 57-57.
After actively supporting Jorick Bautista in the unfortunate loss to University of the Philippines in overtime, it was Gonzales’ time to steal the limelight and punch down two straight step-back jumpers to give FEU a four-point lead in OT, 63-59.
Gonzales led the charge for FEU with 21 points, seven rebounds, and two assists.
“May tiwala ako sa sarili ko na kaya ko i-shoot and bola and may tiwala rin si Coach Denok sa akin. Wala ako ibang iniisip kung hindi mashoot ang bola,” shared Gonzales on his last two shots.
Xyrus Torres contributed 13 points to the Tamaraws performance while Patrick Sleat added nine points including seven rebounds.
Rookie Jared Brown led the Ateneo with 18 points. Ian Espinosa and Chris Koon contributed eight each.
Despite FSA Mo Faty’s continued struggle to provide for the Tamaraws, they dominated the paint scoring, 36-26 on 52.9% shooting. The bench scoring of FEU also supplied much needed help with 31 points and they managed to outran Ateneo 12-2 in fastbreak points.
FEU finally ended their eight-game losing streak against the Blue Eagles and recorded their first win in UAAP S86.
Featured photo courtesy of UAAP
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