Far Eastern University (FEU) emerged victorious in an intense overtime battle against defending champion Ateneo, with L-jay Gonzales leading the way with 21 points. The victory not only ended FEU’s four-game losing streak but also marked their first win against Ateneo since 2018.
The UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament match took place on Saturday, October 14 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. FEU, who had a rough start to the season, finally entered the winning column with a 66-61 triumph over Ateneo. Their record improved to 1-4 in the standings.
For the Tamaraws, it was a remarkable turnaround from last season when they started with a 0-5 record before going on a four-game winning streak. This victory against Ateneo came at the perfect time and showcased the resilience of the FEU team.
Gonzales was the standout player of the game, contributing 21 points and seven rebounds. His back-to-back step-back jumpers in overtime broke the deadlock and secured a four-point lead for FEU at 63-59. Xyrus Torres also made a significant impact, adding 13 points to the team’s total.
FEU had initially held a comfortable 52-37 advantage, but Ateneo fought back to force the game into overtime. Despite being held scoreless in the last six minutes of regulation time, the Tamaraws remained resilient and upbeat heading into the extra period.
In overtime, Gonzales continued to shine, launching a jumper with 1:11 left on the clock. Ateneo committed another costly turnover, which Gonzales converted into another basket, extending FEU’s lead to 63-59. Torres then made both of his free throws, further stretching FEU’s advantage to 65-59.
Ateneo made desperate attempts to come back, but it was too late, and the game was effectively over at that point.
FEU head coach Denok Miranda praised the team’s collective effort, from the coaching staff to the players and management. He emphasized the significance of defeating Ateneo and expressed confidence in the team’s ability to turn their previous losses into victories.
On the Ateneo side, Jared Brown led with 18 points on a 7-of-12 shooting clip, while Kai Ballungay contributed 12 points and seven rebounds. With this loss, Ateneo’s record fell to 2-3, highlighting their uneven start to the season.
Overall, FEU’s thrilling victory against defending champion Ateneo marked a turning point in their season, providing them with renewed hope and determination for future games.
