NEWCOMER BONIFACIO Custodio stepped up bigtime in the crunch, drilling in a booming three-pointer to key University of the East’s stunning 62-57 win over Far Eastern University yesterday at the start of the second round of eliminations in the 68th UAAP men’s basketball elimination at the Araneta Coliseum.
Custodio drained the go-ahead trey with 27 seconds remaining and iced the game with a pair of free throws, 4.5 seconds to go.
The loss snapped the Tamaraws’ seven-game winning run.
"This isn’t a statement game yet, but magandang statement yung kami ang unang nakatalo sa FEU," said UE coach Dindo Pumaren, whose team hiked its record to 6-2.
Pumaren said he felt the energy was high inside the UE dugout.
"Naging player din ako dati, and nakita ko sa mga mukha ng mga bata yung desire na manalo. At least, nawala sa laro na ito yung awe nila kasi idol nila si Arwind Santos. Talagang every shot was challenged," added Pumaren, who is looking to steer the Red Warriors to a return trip to the Final Four.
Custodio matched his career-high 19 points.
Mark Isip, who had a fiery third quarter, finished with a game-high 21 points on top of 10 rebounds for FEU while Santos added 14 points and 15 boards. The duo, however, failed to get enough help from their teammates.
Jeff Chan, RJ Rizada and Jonas Villanueva combined for a horrendous 5of-34 shooting from the field.
In the opening seniors game, University of Santo Tomas made sure there won’t be another end-game collapse against the University of the Philippines this time and the Tigers registered their second win in eight games with a 92-85 decision in overtime.
The boys of coach Nel Parado held the Maroons to just a pair of free throws in the extension period.
