3 October 2018
By Maxine Louise Lagman
Manila, Philippines – The Far Eastern University is back on their winning ways after defeating the National University, 73-68, Wednesday in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
It was a much-needed win for the Tamaraws after their devastating loss to University of the East, 90-65, last week. FEU now ties with De La Salle University with a 3-2 win-loss record.
The Bulldogs made it hard for the Tamaraws to knock them off as they led the game for a while, 24-20, in the first quarter and kept themselves within range with FEU to end the first half with a 37-all tie.
However, Wendell Comboy stepped up his game and made the crucial baskets in the third quarter that lifted his teammates up against the gritty Bulldogs, 54-49.
The Tams were up by eight points in the last four minutes of the game, when NU made back-to-back points capped off by Isaa Gaye, who knocked down a jumper, 63-66.
Comboy answered back with his own followed by a triple from Kenneth Tuffin to keep FEU afloat, 71-63. It was enough to silence the Bulldogs as FEU notched another win in the tournament.
Comboy paved the way for the Tamaraws with 18 points and three assist, while Tuffin, Alvin Tolentino and CJ Gonzales combined for 27 markers.
Prince Orizu had 12 rebounds to help clinch their win.
On the other hand, John Lloyd Clemente led NU with 15 points, five boards and four assists, while Dave Ildenfonso and Matthew Aquino chipped in 11 markers as the Bulldogs suffered their fourth straight loss in the season, tying with University of Santo Tomas and UE.
The Scores:
FEU 73 – Comboy 18, Tuffin 9, Tolentino 9, Gonzales 9, Orizu 8, Escoto 8, Ebona 6, Parker 4, Cani 2, Stockton 0, Inigo 0
NU 68 – Clemente 15, Ildefonso D 11, Aquino 11, Joson 7, Diputado 6, Yu 6, Ildefonso S 5, Gallego 3, Gaye 2, Morido 2, Rike 0, TIbayan 0, Malonzo 0
Quarter scores: 20-24, 37-37, 54-49, 73-68
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