Arvin Tolentino sank a go-ahead triple with 3.1 seconds left as Far Eastern University (FEU) edged De La Salle, 71-70, to punch a ticket to the Final Four in Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball action on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With neither team giving an inch right from the opening buzzer, the Tamaraws showed that they meant business at crunch time book their sixth straight Final Four appearance. They will face the defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles—who own a twice-to-beat advantage as the semifinals top seeds—on Sunday in the same venue.
“I love how this team battled through adversity. They never gave up even after our four-game losing streak,” FEU Head Coach Olsen Racela said as the squad recovered from a string of losses early in the second round.
“It’s just fitting that we made it to the Final Four this way,” added Racela, who will be squaring off with his alma mater.
The Green Archers led, 70-66, on an Aljun Melecio basket in the final 1:03 of the do-or-die game.
But the Tamaraws didn’t let their guard down and showed resiliency with defensive stops and 2 perimeter baskets that keyed their win.
Ken Tuffin drilled a long jumper that put FEU within two and De La Salle failed to score in their possession to give the Tamaraws that slim hope of bagging the game.
With the golden chance to steal the match, Jasper Parker, who earlier assisted Tuffin, found an open Tolentino who nailed the winning triple.
The Green Archers had the chance to reverse the outcome, but Santi Santillan’s attempt from a Melecio pass rimmed out.
Tolentino led FEU with 15 points that went with five rebounds. Kevin Ebona listed a double-double or 12 points and 16 boards.
Santillan was the lone double-digit scorer for De La Salle with his 20 points.
The Taft-based dribblers will miss the semifinals for the first time since 2015.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza