24 October 2018
By Maxine Louise Lagman
Manila, Philippines – University of the Philippines defeated Far Eastern University, 95-82, on Wednesday and climbed to fourth place in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With the win, UP has improved their record to 5-5 and shared the fourth spot with FEU, who lost their third consecutive game in the tournament.
Paul Desiderio exploded for the Fighting Maroons and rained down three’s in the first quarter that gave UP a seven-point lead, 37-30.
MVP candidate Bright Akhuetie was unstoppable as FEU played without its veteran players Arvin Tolentino and big man Prince Orizu, due to suspension and injury, respectively.
The Fighting Maroons led by as much as 13 points in the game, until Wendell Comboy knocked down a triple to cut the deficit to nine, 82-73, with only less than seven minutes left.
However, Akhuetie and guard Juan Gomez De Liano knocked down consecutive freebies that stretched their lead back to double-digits, 90-73.
UP never looked back and cruised to their second straight victory.
Desiderio paved the way for UP with 31 points, while Akhuetie chipped in a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double.
Juan GDL flirted with another triple-double of 19 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
On the other hand, Brandey Bienes led FEU with 14 points, while Barkley Ebona had 13 markers and eight boards.
The Scores:
UP (95) – Desiderio 31, Akhuetie 20, Gomez de Liaño Ju. 19, Manzo 11, Dario 6, Gomez de Liaño Ja. 4, Jaboneta 2, Gozum 2, Vito 0, Murrell 0, Lim 0, Prado 0.
FEU (82) – Bienes 14, Eboña 13, Comboy 12, Cani 11, Iñigo 10, Escoto 10, Ramirez 5, Stockton 3, Parker 2, Tuffin 2.
Quarterscores: 37-30, 54-43, 78-65, 95-82.
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