By Vivem Soriano
Eagle News Service
The National University Bulldogs pulled off a gutsy 87-84 win over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws to keep the race for the last Final Four spot wide open.
NU center Issa Gaye scored 24 points and hauled down 11 rebounds, while Jayjay Alejandro delivered 17 points for the Bulldogs.
The pair came up big when it mattered most, outscoring the entire FEU squad 20-12 during the pivotal 4th quarter.
Ron Dennison and Arvin Tolentino scored 21 points apiece for FEU.
Wendell Comboy contributed 16 while Hubert Cani added 14 points for the Tamaraws.
NU’s win throws the race for the last Final Four slot wide open once again.
The Bulldogs are now 5-8, a game behind UP with a 5-7 record and who are currently playing against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
FEU, meanwhile, drops to 6-7, meaning even a UP loss to Ateneo will only give them just a one-game lead over the last Final Four spot heading to the last day of eliminations.
An FEU win over NU would have practically assured them a Final Four entry but that hope is now dashed as the race to the Final Four will now be decided until the last day of the eliminations.