ROGER Domingo converted crucial triples as Far Eastern University scored a 113-109 triple-overtime win over National University on Thursday to capture the UAAP juniors basketball crown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Domingo’s triple gave the Baby Tamaraws a 112-106 lead with one minute and 18 seconds to go in the third extra period as FEU completed a sweep of last season’s champions Bulldogs and ended a 25-year wait for the title.
The Baby Tamaraws last won the crown in 1987 with a team led by Johnny Abarrientos, when FEU high school was still located in Morayta.
It was the Baby Tamaraws’ first juniors crown since returning to the league in 2005 after the establishment of the high school in Diliman in 1994.
Domingo, who finished with 23 points on 5-of-10 shooting from three-point range, was named the Finals MVP.
“Expect nila na kami ang mag-cha-champion. Buti nalang sinuwerte kami kanina. Sobra,” said FEU-Diliman coach Mike Oliver.
League MVP Jerie Pingoy capped his high school career as he led the Baby Tamaraws with 32 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.
NU's Exiquiel Biteng sent the game into a third overtime with a trey that made it 100-100.
Domingo broke a 104-104 deadlock with a triple before hitting the game-clinching three-pointer that gave the Baby Tamaraws a six-point lead.
“Ang biruan namin, siya ang SW. Secret weapon,” said Oliver.
Joshua Aguilon gave the Baby Tamaraws a 78-73 lead in regulation but the Bullpups sent the game into overtime after a split from the line by Hubert Cani.
John Cauilan extended the game into a second extra session with two pressure-packed free throws, 89-89, with 3.7 seconds to play.
Raphael Atangan had 26 points before fouling out in the third overtime while Cani had 19 markers for the Bullpups.
The scores:
FEU-Diliman (113) – Pingoy 32, Domingo 23, Aguilon 15, Delfinado 14, J. Domingo 11, Lee Yu 9, Lumba 6, Completo 3, You 0, Magbuhos 0, Hassan 0, Escoto 0.
NU (109) – Atangan 26, Cani 19, Biteng 17, Cauilan 13, Morido 10, Battad 9, Canaynay 7, Lopena 3, Busa 3, Dela Cruz 2, Mosqueda 0, Lapiz 0, Castillo 0, Banawan 0.
Quarterscores: 26-21; 46-41; 59-59; 78-78; 89-89; 100-100; 113-109.
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