FAR Eastern U has done its part.
Now, the Tamaraws are hoping that all the cards fall in their favor.
FEU escaped elimination for the third straight game, surviving a furious late rally from Final Four-bound University of Santo Tomas, 81-79, Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Morayta side pushed all the right buttons, racing to an early 23-point lead before quelling the Growling Tigers' repeated second half uprisings.
But they, too, almost suffered a monumental collapse after Collins Akowe, Nic Cabanero, and Gelo Crisostomo spurred a late black-and-gold rally.
With FEU holding on to a three-point lead, Crisostomo got a crucial steal, but Mark Llemit, seemingly unaware of the spread, went for the layup that left 2.4 on the clock.
Bautista made his first free throw and purposefully missed his second at the other end, as Llemit missed his hail mary from three-fourths away to see the Tamaraws come away with the victory that enabled them to finish the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball eliminations with an even 7-7 win-loss card.
Now, the boys of coach Sean Chambers head to the rafters, cheering their lungs out for an Ateneo win against La Salle in the final game of this closely contested tournament.
READ: SCENARIOS: One playoff berth left for La Salle, Ateneo, FEU to fight over
That scenario would mean a triple-tie for fourth place, triggering a two-step playoff which will see the Tamaraws play the Green Archers then the victor there facing the Blue Eagles for No. 4.
"We just kept grinding. We put ourselves in a situation to get this reward at 7-7," said Chambers.
On the other hand, La Salle is driven to avoid complication, with a win securing it the last semifinal slot and a date with top-seed National U in the Final Four.
FEU's outside shot
Mo Konateh produced a double-double of 15 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocks, while Bautista put up seven of his 15 points in the payoff period, to go with five assists and three boards.
Luke Felipe kickstarted FEU's fast start with 12 of his 15 points coming in the first half, as he shot 5-of-6 from deep, Janrey Pasaol stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, 11 assists, six boards, and five steals, and Kirby Mongcopa had 13 and 10 in the win.
It was the Tamaraws' first triumph over UST since Season 85, snapping a five-game win streak by the Espana side.
Crisostomo powered the Growling Tigers in the loss with 28 points, six rebounds, four steals, and two blocks, even as they see the end of a two-game win run and end the elims at 8-6.
Nonetheless, UST turns its attention to the Final Four opposite second-seeded defending champion University of the Philippines which will have a twice-to-win advantage.
Cabanero chimed in 17 points, six boards, two assists, and two steals, as Akowe had nine points and nine rebounds in this, technically, no-bearing game.
The Scores:
FEU 81 – Bautista 15, Konateh 15, Felipe 15, Pasaol 13, Mongcopa 13, Owens 4, Montemayor 3, Daa 3, Nakai 0, Ona 0, Jones 0, Macapagal 0.
UST 79 - Crisostomo 28, Cabañero 17, Akowe 9, Acido 5, Danting 4, Bucsit 4, Padrigao 2, Llemit 2, Buenaflor 2, Laure 2, Calum 2, Paranada 2, Estacio 0, Manding 0, Bangco 0.
Quarters: 14-8, 46-25, 63-48, 81-79.
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