FAR Eastern University drew career games from Janrey Pasaol and Rojan Montemayor to hack out a 65-54 win over Ateneo and remain in the Final Four chase yesterday in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Pasaol tallied personal-bests of 14 points and six assists that went along with seven rebounds and two steals while Montemayor played his best game in a Tamaraws uniform with 13 points off the bench.

Coach Sean Chambers’ tough love that has given FEU as of late has resulted to an impressive 4-2 second round record with University of the Philippines as its last elimination round assignment on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Tamaraws, who improved to 5-8 overall and still within the Final Four range, have swept their elims head-to-head match-up with the Blue Eagles for the second straight season.

“I’m so proud of these guys. Last game, I’ve been pretty tough on them in practice… and their response have been amazing. They are just so good kids, they’re disciplined and they wanna win,” said Chambers.

After falling to 3-9 in the standings, Ateneo is now in danger of missing the Final Four for the first time since 2013. The Blue Eagles have never missed the semifinals in four-time UAAP champion coach Tab Baldwin’s seven seasons.

Ian Espinosa was the Ateneo player in double digits with 14 points and dished out with six assists.

In the women’s division, University of Santo Tomas moved closer in securing the No. 2 ranking, whether in a Final Four or stepladder format, following a 84-62 rout of University of the East, while Ateneo secured the remaining berth with a 85-70 dismantling of FEU.

Tacky Tacatac shot 25 points, while Kent Pastrana added 18 points, including a buzzer-beating heave at the half, eight assists, seven rebounds and four steals for the Tigresses, who have a 10-2 record.

NU is undefeated in 11 games and remains on track for an outright Finals berth.

Reigning MVP Kacey dela Rosa recorded her 12th double-double of the season with 24 points and 18 boards that went along with three assists and two blocks to lead the Blue Eagles to a third straight Final Four appearance with a 7-5 card.

Ateneo’s victory eliminated La Salle, UP and FEU in the Final Four race.

“Our girls are competitive enough. We want to build momentum heading into the Final Four. Hindi mo naman masasabi pa if Final Four or stepladder, but we just want to stay ready to any scenario,” coach LA Mumar said after the Blue Eagles extended their winning run to three games.

Ateneo hopes to catch up Adamson, which is returning to the Final Four after five years, in third place.

The scores:

Women

UST (84) – Tacatac 25, Pastrana 18, Sierba 16, N. Danganan 9, Santos 5, Maglupay 4, Soriano 3, Relliquette 2, Ambos 2, Bron 0, Serrano 0, Pescador 0, Pineda 0, Lopez 0, Amatong 0.
UE (62) – Lacayanga 22, Kone 22, Vacalares 9, Ganade 7, Ronquillo 2, Dalguntas 0, Cruz 0, Buscar 0, Lumibao 0, Yanes 0.
Quarterscores: 13-15, 35-24, 50-40, 84-62

Men

FEU (65) – Pasaol 14, Montemayor 13, Konateh 11, Bautista 8, Alforque 8, Pre 5, Daa 4, Bagunu 2, Nakai 0, Ona 0.
Ateneo (54) – Espinosa 14, Bahay 9, Porter 8, Ong 7, Koon 5, Lazaro 4, Tuano 4, Quitevis 3, Bongo 0, Balogun 0, Espina 0, Edu 0, Gamber 0.
Quarterscores: 20-16, 33-29, 54-42, 65-54.

Games Sunday:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
8 a.m. – FEU-D vs AdU (JHS)
10 a.m. – AdU vs NU (Women)
12 noon – DLSU vs UP (Women)
2 p.m. – AdU vs NU (Men)
6:30 p.m. – DLSU vs UP (Men)

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado