FAR Eastern University made sure its first-round win against league-leading University of the Philippines was anything but a one-off.
The Tamaraws proved they have the Fighting Maroons' number in UAAP Season 89, becoming the first and only team so far to beat State U twice with a 71-68 conquest on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
In a nip-and-tuck final frame, UP could've forced overtime with three ticks to go, but Chicco Briones could not come through.
Called cold off the bench, upon as a mandatory substitution for Veejay Pre, Briones muffed on both his free throws, as Marc Burgos collared the rebound for FEU.
The rookie forward then split his free throws at the other end to finish the job in the Tams' second straight triumph over the Fighting Maroons.
Crucial conquest
More than a statement win against the league's perennial finalist, FEU charged to solo third at 7-5, just ahead of 6-5 La Salle and 6-6 University of Santo Tomas.
Janrey Pasaol showed the way in the repeat, with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting to go with three rebounds. Jorick Bautista added 14 points, Kirby Mongcopa chipped in 13, while Burgos finished with 11.
UP, on the other hand, was denied its first opportunity to seal a twice-to-beat advantage, falling into a tie with National U at 9-3 on the same day the Bulldogs clinched the second Final Four berth.
READ: Garcia propels NU past vastly improved UE, onto Final Four berth
Rey Remogat's 20-piece and Dikachi Ududo's 19-point, 10-rebound double-double went down the drain for the Fighting Maroons.
Pre, who was limited to nine points before exiting, also struggled to make his usual impact.
The Scores:
FEU 71 — Pasaol 16, Bautista 14, Mongcopa 13, Burgos 11, Konateh 9, Cabonilas 6, Gish 2, Daa 0, Nakai 0, Felipe 0, Montemayor 0.
UP 68 — Remogat 20, Ududo 19, Pre 9, Stevens 8, Payosing 5, Briones 2, Yniguez 2, Dimaculangan 2, Bayla 1, Palanca 0, Maga 0.
Quarters: 23-15, 38-41, 55-56, 71-68.
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