Basketball
FEU repulses late charge by UE to pull out win
InterAKTV/Roy Afable
Far Eastern University didn’t allow another University of the East upset, repulsing a late rally from the Red Warriors to notch an 83-78 victory in UAAP Season 75 action Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Tamaraws led by 12 points, 81-69, with just 2:19 left in the game and looked poise to pull out the easy win.
But the Red Warriors fought back, with forward Gene Belleza scoring five straight points and Roi Sumang burying a three-point to trim their deficit to six points, 83-77, with 1:08 remaining.
But UE couldn’t come all the way back, as it couldn’t capitalize on opportunities. JR Sumido muffed two of three free throws in a crucial play, while big men Chris Javier and Adrian Santos missed easy shots in the ensuing possession.
Terrence Romeo scored 24 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Roger Pogoy posted 17 and 13 to help FEU to its eighth win in 11 games.
“Motivation ko na lang sa kanila throughout the game, maging matatag,” FEU coach Bert Flores said.
UE was led by Sumang with 27 points, while Belleza scored 18. Santos also grabbed 18 rebounds for the Red Warriors (3-9), who saw the end of their two-game winning run capped by Javier’s buzzer-beaters.
