FAR Eastern University engineered a big fourth-quarter run to beat University of Sto. Tomas, 78-65, on Saturday in the UAAP Season 80 basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Tamaraws evened their record to 2-2 after they went on a 14-0 tear to start the fourth quarter to pull away after trailing by as many as 10 points.
Arvin Tolentino hit back-to-back triples to spark that key FEU run as the Growling Tigers continued their disappointing start, slipping to 0-4.
Tolentino finished with a double-double, tallying 15 points, 10 rebounds and two steals for the Tamaraws, who also got 15 points from Ron Dennison.
Jeepy Faundo scored 16 points and grabbed 11 boards for the Tigers.
FEU coach Olsen Racela rued his players' lack of energy at the start.
"We came out flat. Sinabi ko na sa kanila na you come out with intensity, energy, and effort, at hindi nangyari 'yun. Nung second half, 'yun ang nangyari. We matched UST's intensity at nahigitan pa namin and that turned things around," said Racela.
The scores:
FEU 78 - Dennison 15, Tolentino 15, Parker 8, Tuffin 8, Ebona 6, Inigo 6, Comboy 5, Orizu 5, Ramirez 5, Escoto 3, Stockton 2, Cani 0, Trinidad 0, Nunag 0, Bayquin 0.
UST 65 - Faundo 16, Sta. Ana 11, Basibas 8, Escalambre 8, Akomo 6, Huang 4, Lee , De Guzman 3, Macasaet 2, Arana 2, Kwawukumey 2, Garcia 0, Caunan 0, Soriano 0.
Quarterscores: 11-16; 31-36; 49-48; 78-65.
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