FAR Eastern University defeated Emilio Aguinaldo College, 68-61, on Wednesday to gain a share of the lead in Group B of the Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup in San Juan.
The Tamaraws upped their mark to 6-1, scoring their second straight win as they prepare for the match against co-leader San Sebastian on Monday.
The winner of the FEU-San Sebastian match will take the No. 1 spot in Group B in the quarterfinals.
Brandrey Bienes had 10 points, six coming in the first half. The Tamaraws posted a 31-27 lead by outscoring the Generals, 16-8, in the second period.
"Medyo naging passive kami sa game na 'to compared to our last game. Pero nakuha pa rin namin 'yung panalo. But every game for me is a learning experience as a head coach," said FEU coach Olsen Racela.
The Tamaraws also got solid contributions from RJ Ramirez and Arvin Tolentino, who each had nine points. Ramirez also had three rebounds and two assists, while Tolentino chipped in four rebounds and two blocks.
"This is a good experience for me to know kung sino ang maasahan ko na kapag binigyan ko ng minutes, magpapakamatay and it doesn't matter sino ang kalaban namin. Madali i-motivate sarili namin kapag malakas ang kalaban. I'm still looking for players na maglalaro ng hundred percent kahit sino ang kalaban nila," Racela added.
Sidney Onwubere had 11 points, while Jerome Garcia added 10 markers for the Generals, who slipped to 2-5.
The scores:
FEU 68 — Bienes 10, Ramirez 9, Tolentino 9, Orizu 7, Escoto 7, Trinidad 7, Inigo 6, Tuffin 5, Ebona 3, Parker 2, Comboy 2, Nunag 1, Bayquin 0, Stockton 0, Denila 0.
EAC 61 — Onwubere 11, Garcia 10, Diego 8, Tampoc 8, Bautista 5, Bugarin 5, Munsayac 4, Corilla 4, Pascua 3, J. Mendoza 3, I. Mendoza 0, Altiche 0, Guzman 0, Gonzales 0.
Quarterscores: 15-19; 31-27; 52-44; 68-61.
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