Games Thursday (Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. — UP vs La Salle
4 p.m. — Ateneo vs NU

The Far Eastern University Tamaraws found themselves again in a gut-wrenching contest, but this time they made the crucial plays down the stretch to squeeze past University of the East Red Warriors 83-77, in overtime Sunday in the 73rd UAAP basketball tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The Tamaraws blew a nine-point lead in regulation, but hung tough in overtime behind the forays of Reil Cervantes and ace guard RR Garcia as the Morayta-based squad bounced back from a stinging 64-63 loss to Adamson that snapped its seven-game winning run.

The victory, however, was tainted by a dangerous foul committed by Cervantes, who deliberately hacked UE’s Paul Lee in the neck causing the latter to fall hard on the floor.

Cervantes, who will turn 19 on Monday, was assessed with an unsportsmanlike-like foul with 53.6 seconds remaining in overtime.

While his action was seen as an intentional, the 6-foot-4 Cervantes denied he did it deliberately.

"Talagang foul yun at hindi ko naman sinasadya," said Cervantes, who later apologized to Lee.

In the second game, Adamson needed some gritty performances, particularly from Janus Lozada, to hack out an 81-76 double overtime win over University of Santo Tomas to move up into second place with seven wins and two losses.

With the score tied at 70-all, Lozada sent the game into second extra period after hitting a booming triple with 3.8 seconds left after the Falcons trailed 69-65 with less than 40 seconds left.

The heartbreaking loss was the Growling Tigers fourth in a row and fell into solo sixth with three wins and six losses.

The scores:
First Game
FEU 83 — Garcia 23, Cervantes 19, Ramos 13, Cawaling 8, Exciminiano 6, Romeo 5, Noundou 5, Bringas 2, Knuttel 2, Cruz 0, Sanga 0.
UE 77 — Zamar 18, Acibar 18, Reyes 11, Lee 10, Martinez 9, Casajeros 5, Duran 4, Tagarda 2, Rosopa 0, Enguio 0, Noble 0.
Quarters: 21-10; 41-34; 58-55; 72-72 (Reg); 83-77 (OT).

Second Game
ADAMSON 81 — Lozada 19, Nuyles 15, Camson 11, Stinnett 9, Galinato 8, Canada 8, Colina 6, Manyara 2, Alvarez 2, Cabrera 1.
UST 76 — Camus 17, Bautista 12, Fortuna 11, Mariano 9, Afuang 9, Teng 7, Pe 6, Daquiaog 5, Marata 0, Mamaril 0, Lo 0, Aytona 0.
Quarters: 14-12; 25-24; 45-44; 55-55 (Reg); 70-70 (1OT); 81-76 (2OT).