Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws ended a decade-long title drought after outlasting University of Santo Tomas, 67-62, in a gruelling Game 3 of the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball Finals Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The Tamaraws avoided blowing a 1-0 finals lead for a second straight year as they defeated the Tigers ending their previous heartbreak suffered against the NU Bulldogs.
The FEU Tamaraws won their 20th title in the history of the UAAP, after they tried for the past three finals appearance during the year 2010, 2011 and 2014. The Tamaraws enters the finals of the UAAP with an impressive 11-3 showing during the elimination round on their way to the much-coveted title.
The UST Growling Tigers on their part was eliminated for the third time in four years in the championship series, each of their championship defeats were experienced by graduating players Kevin Ferrer, Jan Sherrif, Ed Daquioag, and Karim Abdul.
For the FEU Tamaraws graduating players such as Mike Tolomia, Mac Belo and Roger Pogoy will leave the FEU community leading the school to their first taste of UAAP glory since the days of Arwind Santos, Jeff Chan, Mark Isip and other notable basketball players playing in different professional leagues today.