FAR Eastern University rolled to a runaway win against University of Santo Tomas, but still needed a big help from La Salle to avert playoff complications and realize a lofty goal yesterday.
The Tamaraws dismantled the Growling Tigers 109-65 to reach the Final Four of the 84th UAAP basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Rookie Bryan Sajonia banged in a career-high 27 points spiked by seven three-pointers for FEU, to go with four rebounds and two assists, while RJ Abarrientos chipped in 11 markers, nine boards, and six dimes.
Royce Alforque and L-Jay Gonzales also had 10 points each for the Tams, who redeemed themselves from a 53-70 loss to reigning three-time champion Ateneo four days ago and finished with a 7-7 record.
UST, coming off a 67-96 defeat to University of the Philippines last Thursday, ended its season with a 3-11 slate.
FEU clinched the No. 4 slot in the Final Four after the Green Archers turned back National University 76-65 in the third game. The loss sent the Bulldogs packing.
Ateneo and University of the Philippines, still playing at press time, have a lock on the other two Final Four slots. If Ateneo wins, FEU battles La Salle in the stepladder semis, with the winner taking on UP for the right to clash with Ateneo in the finals.
In the first game, Adamson University blasted University of the East 65-53.
Joem Sabandal led the Soaring Falcons with 15 points and five rebounds, while Vince Magbuhos added 11 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Adamson atoned for its 51-64 loss to La Salle last Thursday and finished its campaign with a 6-8 slate.
The Falcons were also booted out after FEU’s triumph.
The Red Warriors failed to recover from an 81-100 drubbing at the hands of the Bulldogs also last Thursday and wound up winless this season.
Although admitting his charges were on target, Tams coach Olsen Racela is convinced their stingy defense on the Tigers proved to be among the keys.
“Well, we shot really well, especially in the second half, but I thought we defended better in the third quarter that’s why we pulled away,” Racela said.
“So, it was all defense in that third quarter and sana mag-tuloy-tuloy iyong ganoong shooting namin,” he added.
FEU came out with guns blazing and took a 49-34 spread at the half.
The Tams were still in control 74-47 heading into the payoff period and were never threatened from there.
A Patrick Sleat bucket gave FEU its biggest lead with under a minute left that also stood as the final count.
Nic Cabañero paced UST with 13 points, while Joshua Fontanilla and Sherwin Concepcion combined for 23.
The Tams also whipped the Tigers 76-51 in their first-round duel last March 26.
“We took care of business today but there’s still a lot of things to improve on,” Adamson strategist Nash Racela said.
“It’s a continuous growth for the team and for the players.”
Harvey Pagsanjan scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds for UE, while Kyle Paranada and Clint Escamis had 15 and 12, respectively.
