The Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, a team bearing a lowly 7-7 record but with tons of playoff experience, walloped the once-immaculate Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles, 80-67, Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Lording the shaded area and scoring on putbacks and inside stabs, the Tamaraws erected a 54-44 lead midway in the third quarter and never looked back, despite the Eagles trimming the lead down to seven points early in the next quarter.

The Tamaraws were boosted by big games from their power forwards Richard Escoto, Arvin Tolentino, and Barkley Ebona, who scored a string of layups to keep Ateneo at bay.

Hubert Cani was big in the final period, scoring on a fastbreak layup and a 30-foot triple with the shotclock expiring to give his team 75-58 lead with three minutes to go.

Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin’s decision to stave off the Tamaraws with a small unit backfired as they only shot two triples in the second half.

Ron Dennison led FEU with 17 points and eight boards while ex-Blue Eagles Tolentino and Cani scored 13 and 11 points, respectively.

The Blue Eagles, who were at 13-0 prior to its first losing streak for the season, were bannered by Thirdy Ravena with 13 points, and Mike Nieto with 11 points.

The deciding game is on November 22, 4 PM, at the Mall of Asia Arena.