MANILA — Far Eastern University Tamaraws and Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles strengthened their bids for Final Four berths in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament after securing crucial victories over separate opponents on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tamaraws survived a furious second-half comeback by Adamson University Soaring Falcons to escape with a 73-66 victory, snapping a three-game losing streak, while the Blue Eagles stunned National University Bulldogs, 69-65, behind a decisive fourth-quarter surge.
The twin victories lifted FEU and Ateneo to identical 5-4 win-loss records, intensifying the battle for semifinal spots as the tournament entered a crucial stretch.
FEU appeared headed for a comfortable victory after establishing a commanding 19-point advantage, only to see Adamson mount a determined comeback that trimmed the deficit to five points, 65-60.
Janrey Pasaol rescued the Tamaraws from a potential collapse with a timely three-pointer that halted the Falcons’ momentum before Jorick Bautista converted two free throws to restore FEU’s double-digit cushion.
Kirby Mongcopa spearheaded the Tamaraws’ balanced offensive attack with 13 points, while Cabs Cabonillas contributed 11 markers. Pasaol and Mark Burgos chipped in 10 points apiece.
The victory provided a much-needed boost for FEU, which had suffered three consecutive defeats that threatened to derail its semifinal aspirations.
Kenji Cañete led Adamson with 14 points, while Matt Erolon added 13 as the Soaring Falcons absorbed their fifth defeat against four victories, further complicating their own Final Four campaign.
Meanwhile, Ateneo delivered another significant result in the semifinal race by dealing NU its third defeat of the season.
Trailing the Bulldogs in the standings, the Blue Eagles stepped up their defensive intensity in the final period, outscoring NU, 16-10, to complete a hard-fought 69-65 triumph.
Kieffer Alas powered Ateneo with a game-high 18 points, while Jared Bahay provided crucial offensive support with 16 markers.
The victory allowed the Blue Eagles to match FEU’s 5-4 record and strengthen their position in the increasingly competitive race for the remaining Final Four slots.
NU, which entered the contest hoping to keep pace with league-leading University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, slipped to 6-3 despite solid performances from Mo Diassana and Reinhard Jumamoy.
Diassana finished with 17 points, while Jumamoy contributed 16, but their efforts proved insufficient to prevent the Bulldogs from absorbing a costly setback.
With FEU and Ateneo gaining ground and Adamson losing further momentum, the battle for semifinal qualification promises to intensify in the remaining elimination-round games./PN
