MANILA, Philippines - Feati University leaned on Leo Pati-an in the second half to defeat Philippine Women’s University, 68-62, and advance to the third round of the fourth Interscholastic Athletic Association stepladder phase at the Lyceum gym in Intramuros.
The lefty Pati-an scored 12 of his game-high 22 points in the final half as the Seahawks battled back from an eight-point deficit to earn the right to face defending champion Technological Institute of the Philippines in the next round.
TIP and Feati will meet on Tuesday with the winner to play La Consolacion College Manila for the last finals berth. LCCM holds a twice-to-beat advantage.
Philippine Merchant Marine School gained the outright finals berth after sweeping the classification round of the tournament backed by Molten and Mikasa of Sonia Trading, Globe and Abot Kaya Pinoy.
RJ Santos and Anthony Santos added 11 and 10 points, respectively, for Feati, which posted a 98-94 victory opposite St Dominic College of Asia in the opening round on Wednesday at Manila Tytana Colleges gym.
Jake Enriquez scored 17 points and power forward Morris Bryan Pallares added 14 points but PWU made costly turnovers and missed outside shots in the last two quarters that enabled Feati to seize control of the contest.
PWU made it to the second round of the stepladder following an 81-65 rout of Manila Tytana.