Tamaraws stun Blue Eagles in OT to crack win column

MANILA, Philippines – The FEU Tamaraws blew a 15-point lead but held on against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 66-61, in overtime to enter the win column in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Saturday

With both teams missing shots in the final stretch of the overtime period, LJay Gonzales sank two straight tough step-back jumpers to give the Tamaraws a 63-59 lead with 35.2 seconds remaining. 

On the other end, Ian Espinosa missed a layup from point-blank range. 

Xyrus Torres then, iced the game for the Tamaraws with a pair of free throws for a 65-59 FEU upperhand. 

Ateneo's Espinosa dropped in a layup to cut the lead to four, 61-65, with 11.8 seconds remaining.

Those was the last points for the defending champions as a split from the line by Renzo Competente capped the game.

The Blue Eagles led early, erecting an 8-0 lead in the first few minutes of the game. 

But the Tamaraws stormed back and unleashed a 19-4 run stretching the first two quarters to take a 19-12 lead. 

FEU led by 15, 52-37, in the first few minutes of the fourth quarter. 

Ateneo, however, rallied 18-5 to take the game to overtime. 

Gonzales starred with 21 points and seven rebounds for FEU while Torres chipped in 13.

Brown, for his part, led Atene with 18 points. 

With the win, FEU is now holding a 1-4 win-loss record. 

Ateneo dropped to 2-3.