Far Eastern University stopped a pesky challenge by University of the Philippines to run off with a 75-69 result during Saturday’s University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 77 men’s basketball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With their sixth consecutive victory in tow to move up to a league-best 9-2 (won-lost) card, the Tamaraws are assured for at least a playoff for a berth in the Final Four and sent the Fighting Maroons to their fourth consecutive loss in the second round.

Achie Iñigo did a solid relief job for the foul-plagued Mike Tolomia, scoring eight points and grabbed 10 rebounds in an extended stay on the floor. He banked a crucial trey with 1:41 left in the contest to start a 7-0 run and take control of the contest for good.

Tolomia, who fouled out with 3:12 left with the Maroons threatening to overturn a four point deficit, led the Tamaraws with 19 points. Mac Belo added 14 points and seven rebounds, with Anthony Hargrove putting up 11.

Lead assistant coach Eric Gonzales – who took the place of Nash Racela, who is part of Gilas Pilipinas’ coaching staff in the ongoing FIBA Basketball World Cup – was visbly unhappy with the players’ attitude towards the league’s minnows.

“I keep on reminding the players na eto ang pinaka-nakakatakot na game. Pansin namin ni Coach Nash [Racela] from day one na pag kalaban namin UP or Adamson na napakainconsistent namin,” said Gonzales.

“Pag mahihina yung kalaban, yung mga players namin talagang nagrerelax. Pag ang kalaban namin mga big names, kahit hindi mo sila imotivate magpapakamatay sila sa court.”

JR Gallarza powered UP with 18 points on five-for-seven shooting, while Mikee Reyes scattered 14, and rookie guard Diego Dario pooling together 10 markers.