UAAP: UP ousts FEU from Final Four contention, remains on track for semis bonus

University of the Philippines took down Far Eastern University, 81-64, in UAAP Season 86 on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to eliminate the Tamaraws from Final Four contention.

The win improved the Fighting Maroons' record to 10-2 to remain on top of the league standings as they hope to get the twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs.

Sean Aldous Torculas posted 13 points, while Francis Lopez flirted with a double-double of 12 points and nine rebounds. Harold Alarcon chipped in 11 points for the Diliman-based squad.

The win spoiled Ljay Gonzales' 20-point output as the Tamaraws slipped to 3-9 and missed the Final Four bus for the second straight season.

FEU can only go as high as five wins should they sweep their next games, but either Ateneo de Manila University or Adamson University will already reach six wins already when they face off on Sunday.

On Wednesday, UP will play the also-ran University of Santo Tomas, while FEU will go against De La Salle University at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Scores:

UP 81 – Torculas 13, Lopez 12, Alarcon 11, Briones 9, Cagulangan 7, Diouf 6, Felicilda 4, Pablo 4, Abadiano 4, Gonzales 4, Torres 3, Cansino 2, Gagate 2, Alter 0, Belmonte 0.

FEU 64 – Gonzales 20, Bautista 17, Sleat 8, Torres 8, Faty 6, Tempra 3, Ona 2, Bagunu 0, Montemayor 0, Buenaventura 0, Felipe 0, Competente 0.

Quarterscores: 16-13, 34-27, 60-47, 81-64.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News