UAAP: FEU tops La Salle in thriller to grab No. 1 spot

Mike Tolomia helped Far Eastern University thwart off a De La Salle University surge late in the fourth quarter for a 74-70 victory on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena that gave the Tamaraws the solo lead in the UAAP Season 77 men's basketball tournament.

 

With the win, the Tamaraws climbed to the top of the standings with an 8-2 card, while the Archers fell to second in a tie with Ateneo de Manila University and National University at 7-3.

 

Tolomia scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half to lead the Tamaraws, while Mac Belo and Achie Inigo finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

 

Jeron Teng exploded for 28 points for the Archers, while Norbert Torres contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds. Jason Perkins added eight markers.

 

Down by nine at the start of the second half, FEU stepped on the gas to climb back and seize the lead in the dying seconds of the third period. Tolomia led the charge, scoring 10 points in that quarter alone to tie the game at 48-48 with 1:36 remaining.

 

A Teng triple broke the deadlock, but a charity from Raymar Jose and a Belo drive once again evened the tally. A free throw from Escoto in the dying seconds of the third pushed the Tamaraws ahead, 52-51, going into the final frame.

 

Belo provided the lift for FEU in the fourth quarter, scoring seven points capped by a drive to give FEU a 69-61 bubble with three minutes on the clock. But DLSU converted back-to-back baskets courtesy of Almond Vosotros and Torres to trim the lead 69-68 with 48 seconds left.

 

It was all Tolomia from there as he scored his charities to stretch the lead again for the Tamaraws, 71-68, at the 14-second mark. Teng drained a quick basket to threaten for La Salle, 70-71, but Tolomia finished the game with a charity and a rebound off his own miss from the line with five seconds left to deny the Archers a last surge. — JST, GMA News