By MARK REY MONTEJO
Royce Alforque and Jorick Bautista joined hands to power Far Eastern University over National University, 65-58, and make it two wins in a row in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena Wednesday, Oct. 16.
With the Bulldogs ahead, 52-50, in the final period, Alforque and Bautista orchestrated a 14-6 run which was highlighted by the latter’s triple that made it 64-58 with 9.7 seconds left.
FEU broke the three-way tie and improved to 3-6 while NU got deeper into the standings as it absorbed its seventh defeat for a 2-7 card. Also the Tamaraws exacted their revenger over the Bulldogs, who beat them via 62-60 escape last Sept. 14.
Mo Konateh. who was also pivotal in the waning minutes, tallied 22 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks. Bautista registered 17 points while Alforque added nine with seven rebounds.
Ian Manansala, PJ Palacielo, and Jake Figueroa starred for NU with 11, 10, and nine points, respectively, in a losing cause.
The scores:
First game
FEU (65) – Konateh 22, Bautista 17, Pre 12, Alforque 9, Pasaol 2, Montemayor 2, Ona 1, Añonuevo 0, Nakai 0, Daa 0.
NU (58) – Manansala 11, Palacielo 10, Figueroa 9, Garcia 8, Jumamoy 6, Francisco 5, Perciano 4, Parks 3, Enriquez 2, Lim 0, Yu 0, Padrones 0, Dela Cruz 0, Santiago 0, Tulabut 0.
Quarterscores: 12-20, 29-24, 44-48, 65-58
