MANILA, Philippines - AA Fabian came through with a buzzer-beater as Far Eastern University nipped Letran, 101-99, to post its second win in the juniors division of the Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Invitational Cup at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.
Fabian’s heroics came after Letran’s Mark Cruz unleashed a six-point splurge to force a 99-all count with 16 seconds left in the contest that was close throughout the second half.
The Baby Tams actually came back from an 13-point deficit as they pounced on their rivals’ early foul woes then worked on their defense in the third period and made the baskets in transition to pull within three, 72-75.
FEU and Letran battled to three deadlocks going to the fourth period until Fabian drilled in five unanswered points to shove the Tamaraws to a 95-89 lead with less than three minutes left in the contest.
The Baby Tams held on to the lead until Cruz came through with his six-point binge, including a mid-range jumper and four from the line.
“Most of their big men went into early foul trouble. We used that to our advantage,” said FEU assistant coach Warren Gonzales, tasked to handle the Baby Tams for the off-season league. “We worked on our transition and I just allowed the boys to play their game.”
Earlier, San Sebastian used it quickness and hustle to run the taller University of Santo Tomas side to the ground for a 65-51 victory.