The hot-shooting rookie delivered when it mattered most to lead all scorers with 17 points to go with eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals as the FEU Tamaraw improved to a 3-3 record.

Jerom Lastimosa fired a go-ahead triple off a Joshua Yerro dish with 20.9 seconds remaining in the final frame that seemed to deliver the victory for the Soaring Falcons but their efforts went into naught as Abarrientos responded with the clutch three.

Down by three coming into the fourth quarter, 46-43, the Soaring Falcons shifted into high gear and rallied a 19-8 run to lead by as many as eight, 62-54, with just 3:41 left to play.

FEU quickly responded and went on a 9-0 blast, allowing the Tamaraws to take the 63-62 lead in the last 32.9 seconds.

Gonzales added 16 points, seven boards, and three assists, while Xyrus Torres contributed 13 points together with six rebounds. 

On the other hand, Lastimosa paced the Soaring Falcons with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, Cedrick Manzano scored 12 points and five boards, while Lenda Douanga had 10 points and nine rebounds in the loss, dropping them to a 1-5 record. 

The Scores:

FEU 66 – Abarrientos 17, Gonzales 16, Torres 13, Tempra 6, Ojuola 4, Alforque 3, Bienes 3, Sandagon 3, Li 1, Sajonia 0, Coquia 0, Celzo 0.

ADU 65 – Lastimosa 16, Manzano 12, Douanga 10, Magbuhos 8, Yerro 6, Sabandal 4, Colonia 4, Zaldivar 3, Hanapi 2, Peromingan 0, Barasi 0, Jaymalin 0.

Quarters: 13-9, 26-28, 46-43, 66-65.