By John Miles Arcenal
SAN JUAN, MM--Jorick Bautista threw a game-winning triple to drag Far Eastern University to the semifinals of the Filoil EcoOil ECJ 17th Preseason Cup after escaping the College of St. Benilde, 74-73, in the cross-bracket quarterfinals on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Bautista's buzzer-beater capped a wild finish to the showdown between the Tamaraws and the Blazers.
With two minutes left, Veejay Pre drilled a trey that put the Tams up for the first time since the opening quarter, 69-68.
Tony Ynot, meanwhile, answered with a wing 3-pointer to bring the lead back to the Blazers, but rookie Janrey Pasaol snuck into the driving lane and made a layup to tie the game at 71-all with eight ticks remaining.
The Blazers’ hero once again delivered, as Ynot knocked down a layup over Mohamed Konateh’s defense with 2.7 seconds remaining.
Pre then set a screen for Bautista in the wing, leaving the FEU guard open for the game-winner.
“I saw they are a very good team [Benilde], so I knew we were gonna be out for a tough fight. So I had no expectations and I'm hoping we come and play strong and finish out with a win,” said coach Sean Chambers.
Bautista, who only scored five points and three assists, still earned the honor for his heroics.
“Sabi ng mga teammates ko keep going lang kahit hindi ako maka-shoot. Kasi good shot naman yung tinitira and kunin ko lang yung lakas ko sa depensa which is yun yung ginawa ko,” said Bautista.
“Thank you sa mga coaching staff na naniwala pa rin sa akin kahit na nag-struggle ako.”
FEU Diliman standouts Pre and Pasaol teamed up with 20 and 19 points, while Konateh chipped in 15 points and 14 boards.
On the other hand, the Blazers were paced by Jhomel Ancheta and Ynot with 20 and 16 points, respectively.
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