FEU Tamaraws rout UP Fighting Maroons

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws dumped the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 78-59, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 men’s basketball tournament, on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Both aiming for their third straight win, the Tamaraws pulled UP down from its cloud nine –after defeating the season 79 defending champions, De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers.

The Tamaraws flexed their muscles after a 14-all deadlock, unleashing an 11-0 blitz to pull away early in the 2nd quarter.

After the Fighting Maroons tied the UAAP record of 16 made triples against DLSU, they shot a measly 4/19 from behind the arc in this game.

FEU Team Captain Ron Dennison scored 16 points, got seven boards and gave up three assists to lead the Tamaraws to victory, Richard Escoto followed with a total of 12 markers and three rebounds.

Import Ibrahim Ouattara led UP with 17 points and 13 caroms, while UP main man Paul Desiderio was limited to only nine markers on a poor 4/12 shooting from the field.

This game is FEU’s 12 straight win against UP dating back to Season 74.

FEU is now .5 games ahead of UP with a 4-2 card, while UP is now at fourth place with a 3-2 record.

Both of the competitive teams will next face the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons on Wednesday, October 4, for the UP Fighting Maroons (3-2), and on Saturday, October 7, for the FEU Tamaraws. KATE REYES