FEU hits the ground running against UE as the Tamaraws keep their Final Four hopes alive late in UAAP Season 87, all while gifting champion La Salle the first of two twice-to-beat advantages.
The FEU Tamaraws ran away with the ball game right in the opening quarter to take a convincing win over Final Four contender UE Red Warriors, 59-51, in their second round encounter in UAAP Season 87 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Sunday, November 3.
Another big game from ace rookie Veejay Pre helped the Tamaraws hold off the Red Warriors, who have lost back-to-back games for the first time since their 0-2 start this season.
The Tamaraws built a double-digit lead at the end of the first quarter, 23-9, before seizing the largest lead of the ballgame early in the second canto at 18, 31-13, to dictate the pace of the contest.
While Precious Momowei tried to keep UE afloat with his offense by getting them within single digits in the fourth quarter, 54-47, with 3:08 ticks remaining, the Red Warriors were unable to get over the hump.
Pre finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, and one block to follow up his career-best performance of 31 points against UST in their previous game.
Jorick Bautista added 12 markers while Royce Alforque contributed nine points, eight rebounds, and three assists for FEU.
Momowei paced UE in the losing effort with a double-double of 18 points and 21 rebounds.
Rainer Maga was the only other Red Warrior in double digit scoring with a double-double of his own of 12 points and 11 rebounds.
With FEU’s win, idle champion La Salle is thus assured of a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four after UE now has five losses at 6-5. Meanwhile, FEU rose to 4-7 and is still within striking distance of the UAAP semis.