Struggling offensively, the Tamaraws put premium on defense in the payoff quarter, holding the Falcons scoreless in the first six and a half minutes of the period en route to their fourth win in five games.
La Salle later kept its share of the lead with FEU as the Archers likewise withstood a tough stand by National University, 88-87. NU suffered its third loss against two wins.
The unheralded Cesar Catli emerged FEU’s biggest hero as the three-year veteran came off the bench to score five of his nine points while also throwing a defensive blanket on Adamson ace Mark Abadia in the last quarter.
Rysal Castro, who honed his skill playing for Shark Energy Drink in the PBL, also made his presence felt, scoring seven of his nine points in the fourth.
"We nearly fumbled the game because of overconfidence but fortunately for us, our defense held in the fourth quarter," said FEU coach Coy Banal.
The Tamaraws overcame the Falcons, handing them their fifth straight defeat and 23rd overall since a stunning win over FEU in the second round of the 1999 season.
Abadia, Adamson’s prized find from Cebu, ended up with only 13 points with Michael Yong winding up the Falcons’ leading scorer with 17.