MANILA, Philippines -- The league leader Far Eastern University Tamaraws extended the Ateneo Blue Eagles' woes with a 66-61 victory on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tamaraws forced the leading MVP candidate Kiefer Ravena to shoot 5-of-15 from the field while they turned on the heat at the onset of the fourth quarter to break away from the tight game.
Alfrancis Tamsi hit a three-pointer that sparked a 7-0 run in the fourth period breaking a 47-all score. By the time Mac Belo made two free throws, the Tamaraws have wrested control of the tightly fought game as they opened a seven-point lead, 54-47.
The Tamaraws have extended their winning streak to six to stay on top of the heap with a 7-1 win-loss record. The Eagles, on the other hand, continued their slide as they fell to an even 4-4 card.
Belo finished with a team-high 12 points while Roger Pogoy and Russel Escoto came added 10 apiece for the Tamaraws.
Despite his shooting woes, Ravena still topscored for the Eagles with 15 points but could not help the team avert from losing their second game in a row and third of their last four games.