FAR Eastern University fended off La Salle late to bounce back with a 66-55 victory Wednesday in the UAAP Season 82 men's basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.
Wendell Comboy scored five of the last seven points for the Tamaraws after seeing their 14-point lead cut down to just six, 56-50 midway through the payoff period.
The fourth-year guard fired 11 points, eight coming in the fourth quarter, on a 3-of-9 shooting from deep, to go with two rebounds as FEU pulled even in the standings at 2-2.
Cameroonian slotman Patrick Tchuente also had his best game to date as he posted 19 points, 11 boards and three blocks.
Brandrey Bienes added nine points and six rebounds, while Barkley Ebona collected eight points and six boards.
"I'm just proud of the way we played today coming off that loss to Ateneo," said coach Olsen Racela. "It just showed yung competititon this season is so balanced. Lahat ng teams are capable of winning any given moment."
FEU erected a 38-24 lead early in the third quarter, before Jamie Malonzo helped La Salle battle back got to within six numerous times in the final frame.
Comboy, however, delivered the answers for the Tamaraws late as they dealt the Green Archers their second straight loss.
Malonzo carried La Salle with a double-double of 20 points, 15 rebounds, and three assists, while Andrei Caracut had 10 in the defeat.
The scores:
FEU 66 - Tchuente 19, Comboy 11, Bienes 9, Ebona 8, Alforque 7, Gonzales 5, Tuffin 4, Torres 3, Cani 0, Nunag 0, Stockton 0.
La Salle 55 - Malonzo 20, Caracut 10, Baltazar 6, Serrano 6, Melecio 5, Bates 2, Lojera 2, Meeker 2, Pado 2, Manuel 0.
Quarterscores: 19-14; 36-24; 49-43; 66-55.