Tams turn back never-say-die Maroons

MANILA, Philippines – Reigning champion Far Eastern U dodged the bullet as it escaped subdued hard-fighting University of the Philippines, 51-49, for its first back-to-back wins in the UAAP LXXIX men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum yesterday.

Monbert Arong hit the insurance baskets while Prinze Orizu came through with two huge defensive stops down the stretch as the Tams sealed their third victory in five outings and grabbed a share of second spot.

“It was a struggle,” said FEU coach Nash Racela after surviving the Maroons (1-4) who came into the game on a high from their breakthrough 75-71 win over University of the East last Wednesday.

“We knew all along that this game will really be difficult especially with UP coming off a win,” said Racela.

Orizu foiled UP’s attempt to break a 47-47 standoff with a big chasedown block on Jarell Lim, leading to an FEU offensive that resulted in a split by Arong.

National U built enough cushion from a woeful six-point output in the fourth quarter, holding off University of Santo Tomas, 75-68, to arrest a two-game skid later in the day.

The Bulldogs raced to a 20-point lead then weathered UST’s fourth-quarter charge to improve to 3-2 and join Adamson, Ateneo, and FEU in a heavy logjam at second behind unbeaten La Salle (5-0).

“For some reason, we lost our aggressiveness and we were tentative in the fourth. It’s like we’re just playing not to lose. We have to learn how to manage leads and finish strong,” said NU mentor Eric Altamirano.

Jayjay Alejandro topscored for NU with 16 points, including four charities that helped bail the Bulldogs out of trouble.

UST, which was led by Louie Vigil’s 17 and Jon Sheriff’s 16 markers, slipped to 2-3.