By Ivan Saldajeno
QUEZON CITY—Early
into its UAAP game on Saturday, FEU showed signs of getting affected by a
recent development in the PBA regarding its head coach, Nash Racela.
In the end, however, the Tamaraws showed why they are the
defending champions.
FEU completed a huge comeback and downed UP, 63-60, at the
Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Three days after a report surfaced that Racela is on his way
to TNT, the Tamaraws seemed to have been affected by it, starting out very slow
and conceding a 20-point advantage to the Fighting Maroons, 28-8, at the end of
the first quarter.
But they slowly came back and opened a nine-point lead in
the fourth.
UP tried to avert the collapse, but a crucial turnover down
the stretch spelled doom for the team and its Final Four chances.
Raymar Jose carried the fight for FEU with 20 points and 12
rebounds.
Jett Manuel's solid game of 16 points, eight rebounds, five
assists, and three steals came to naught as UP dropped its second straight game
after a breakthrough two-handed winning run that put the team to playoff
consideration.
Box Scores:
FEU 63-Jose 20, Trinidad 9, Arong 8, Iñigo 7, Orizu 6, Ebona
5, Tuffin 4, Comboy 2, Holmqvist 2, Bayquin 0, Denila 0, Dennison 0, Escoto 0
UP 60-Manuel 16, Desiderio 13, Prado 10, Lim 5, Harris 4,
Dario 3, Gomez De Liaño 3, Moralde 2, Vito 2, Webb 0, Asilum 0, Jaboneta 0,
Romero 0
Quarterscores: 8-28, 27-36, 46-46, 63-60
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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