Tamaraws sustain climb, smother Bulldogs

MANILA, Philippines — Vengeful Far Eastern U waxed hot in the fourth quarter to turn back National U, 65-58, and pump more life on its Final Four hopes in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Tamaraws outscored the Bulldogs, 21-10, in the payoff period highlighted by the dagger trey of Jorick Bautista in the last nine seconds for their second straight win and a 3-6 card overall.

Winless in the first five games, FEU has won three of its last four to break away from a triple tie with National U (2-7) and Ateneo (2-6) while striking closer to Adamson (3-5) and Santo Tomas (4-4) in a heated fight for the coveted fourth spot.

And coach Sean Chambers said he saw it coming despite their early struggles as the Morayta-based squad avenged its meltdown in the first round against NU, 60-62.

“I don’t want to sound like a broken record but like I said a couple of weeks back, this second round will be a lot different for us. We’re getting comfortable and acclimated to understanding our goals and game plans,” said the PBA legendary import in his first coaching foray.

Mo Konateh spearheaded the way with a solid double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds plus two blocks. But it was Bautista, along with Veejay Pre and Royce Alforque, who brought the Tamaraws home.

Bautista fired three triples for 17 points, none bigger than the clutch one in the waning seconds to give FEU a 64-58 lead while Pre had 12 points on top of seven rebounds and five assists.

Veteran guard Alforque (9) was instrumental down the wire, too, with his back-to-back jumpers  giving the Tamaraws a comfortable 61-56 breather in the last minute from a slim one-point game.

No team managed to lead by double digits in the nip-and-tuck affair marked by six dead locks and 12 lead changes as the Bulldogs gained the upperhand at 48-44 after three quarters.

This time around though, it was FEU which had the last laugh in a strong finishing kick compared to their first-round meeting where it wasted a 17-point lead to fall to NU.