By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws got a much-needed boost heading into their next set of games after upsetting the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 47-44, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament.
Heading into the matchup with a 1-5 win-loss record, the surging Tamaraws were unfazed against the tough Bulldogs squad that earned the moniker “Giant Slayers” after outlasting the UP Fighting Maroons and the DLSU Green Archers during their last two games.
It was a back-and-forth affair from the get-go as the Tamaraws matched the Bulldogs’ firepower courtesy of L-Jay Gonzales’ early explosion.
Aside from Gonzales’ offensive output, veteran shooting guard and former Batang Gilas member Xyrus Torres knocked down some three-pointers that answered every NU basket.
However, during the third quarter, both teams figured in an offensive dry spell after a chess match between the two head coaches happened defensively.
FEU decided to deploy early double teams in the baseline soon as opposing center Omar John caught the leather while NU countered with a 2-3 zone.
The Tamaraws finally got it going in the fourth quarter after Ilonggo shooting guard and former Santa Clarita International School of Iloilo superstar John Bryan Sajonia caught fire and sank much-needed baskets.
Sajonia nailed a momentum-clinching three-point bomb with 7:20 remaining in the fourth to give the Tamaraws a 36-35 advantage.
FEU’s onslaught continued and snowballed their way offensively in the next five minutes to build a 45-40 lead with 2:33 remaining in the game.
However, the Bulldogs fought back after a crucial Sajonia turnover during the inbound play. With 1:25 remaining, John made a much-needed basket to cut the FEU lead to just a point, 45-44.
With FEU needing to close things out in the most crucial stretch of the game, head coach Olsen Racela trusted Gonzales in an isolation play at the top of the key and drove past his defender for a layup after a sweet in-and-out dribble move that proved to be the icing in the cake for the Tamaraws.
The Bulldogs had one last chance to force overtime but rookie sensation Kean Baclaan missed the near half-court heave.
“It was a defensive game. We needed their defensive mindset going into this game against NU. Pababaan ng score ang nangyari ngayon but our defense gave us the chance in this game. I’m just proud of the way they played. It was a total team effort not just from LJ but lahat ng ginamit ko,” said Racela.
