FAR Eastern University got the job done anew against reigning champion Ateneo last night.
Proving their first-round victory was no fluke, the Tamaraws outlasted the Blue Eagles 62-59 for their third win in the 86th UAAP basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Graduating playmaker LJ Gonzales boomed in a clutch one-handed three-pointer at the buzzer that sent the FEU faithful in frenzy and the Ateneo supporters in agony.
Gonzales’ heroics saved the Tamaraws from nearly squandering a 10-point fourth quarter lead.
Mason Amos drained a triple that knotted the count 59-all with 15.0 to go before FEU committed a turnover, but the Eagles’ Kai Ballungay also threw the ball in the last 3.9 ticks that set up Gonzales’ leaning-in shot.
Earlier, National University nipped University of the East 64-61 for its fifth win in a row.
Kean Baclaan played the hero’s role for the Bulldogs after he scored five straight points–a layup and a three-pointer that turned a 57-61 deficit to a 62-61 lead with 2:30 left.
Gonzales shone for the Tams with 19 points, on top of nine rebounds and five assists, while Patrick Sleat chipped in 12 markers and eight boards.
Jorick Bautista also had 10 points as FEU atoned for a 62-68 loss to University of Santo Tomas four days back and improved to 3-5.
Ateneo, which came off a 99-89 overtime win over University of the Philippines last Sunday, slipped to 4-4.
The Tams also trounced the Eagles 66-61 in OT last Oct. 14.
“Expected naman namin na babalik iyong Ateneo kasi grabe iyong team nila, sobrang disiplinado,” FEU coach Denok Miranda said.
“Iyong natutunan namin noong past games namin na kailangan maging composed sa ganoong mga sitwasyon,” he added.
Koon paced Ateneo with 14 points and three rebounds, while Amos contributed 11 markers.
The Red Warriors Ethan Galang and Precious Momowei missed their chances late as Jake Figueroa canned the insurance free throws with 5.3 seconds to go.
Without a timeout left, UE ran the length of the court but failed to take a shot at the buzzer, failing to score in the final three minutes and 27 seconds of the duel.