Tams notch 3rd straight win, trample Maroons

MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University cruised to its third straight UAAP victory at the expense of University of the Philippines, 78-59, Sunday at the Big Dome.

The Tamaraws trailed the Fighting Maroons after Juan Gomez de Liaño shot a triple after the opening tip — but that’s the only time the Green and Gold squad would be on the backseat.

“It was a defensive game for us. First time namin this year to limit a team below 60 points,” head coach Olsen Racela said.  “’Yun ang focus namin prior the start of the game.”

“I think timely din na we caught them on an off night. “’Yung mga nai-pasok nilang [looks] noong last game against La Salle, hindi pumapasok ngayon,” he furthered.

FEU leaned on eight players in its second quarter barrage to build a cushion going into the halftime break.

UP’s Ibrahim Ouatarra poured 10 points in the third frame to try to salvage the Fighting Maroons’ second half. But they simply had no answer for FEU’s Ron Dennison in the payoff period.

With the win, the Tamaraws improved to 4-2 record. The Maroons, who scored a massive upset over champs De La Salle last week, are now 3-2.

FEU and UP’s next assignment is Adamson University. The Maroons take on the Falcons first on Wednesday, while the Tams will seek to wrap their first round bid with them on Saturday.

BOX SCORES

FEU 78 – Dennison 16, Escoto 12, Orizu 8, Inigo 7, Parker 7, Comboy 6, Cani 5, Tuffin 4, Ebona 4, Ramirez 4, Tolentino 3, Stockton 2, Trinidad 0, Nunag 0, Bayquin 0

UP 59 – Ouattara 17, Gomez de Liano Ju 16, Desiderio 9, Dario 8, Manzo 4, Lim 3, Webb 2, Gomez de Liano Ja 0, Vito 0, Ricafort 0, Jaboneta 0, Lao 0, Prado 0

QUARTER SCORES: 18-14, 40-24, 56-43, 78-59