The "Battle of the East" is a college rivalry between theFar Eastern University Tamaraws andUniversity of the East Red Warriors. Others would refer to it as theBattle of Morayta, because of the street that runs between these universities. They have a combined 38UAAP Basketball titles.
UE stormed back from 81–75 with three minutes left to play at the half to complete an upset, 87–86 taking the El Oro trophy home in front of a crowded Rizal Memorial Coliseum. A run started with Norman de Vera's two free throws after being fouled by Rohimust Santos to cut the lead, while sophomore Rizaldo Pabillore came up with two interceptions all within the last three minutes of the second half to earn their third title.
UE subdued FEU, 78–74 in the second round of the UAAP basketball series at theRizal Memorial Coliseum. But the jam-packed crowd of 9,000 (over maximum capacity of the coliseum) got an unexpected show after the final buzzer when cagers from both teams engaged in an impromptu brawl on the floor. The fight was triggered off by a last-second scuffle for the ball between TamarawRomy Diaz and Warrior Carlos Quitzon. Quitzon had the ball and was being harassed by Diaz when the buzzer sounded and hell broke loose. Searing blast by lankyJimmy Mariano and clutch baskets by Jose Sison and Wenceslao Olaguera at the homestretch saved the Warriors after they were behind by six points. Mariano scored twice on a twisting shot to regain the lead for UE, 63–60, with five minutes left in the game. The two schools met again in the finals with FEU winning the championship.
With the game on the line, University of the East rookieAllan Caidic, with the chance of beating the rival FEU to win the championship, missed both free throws and let the Tamaraws led byGlenn Capacio steal the 1981 title. Caidic, with the rest of UE squad, won the championship the following year after beating the University of the Philippines.
Holding a twice to beat advantage, the second-seeded Tamaraws fell short during the Game 1 of the series, 74–84, without their sophomore guardMark Barroca, who was accused of game-fixing prior to his performance on the team's last stretch of the elimination. Going on to the second game of the series, a much favored FEU, despite a 49–39 lead at the half, once again took the beating asPaul Lee and the Warriors pulled an upset and entered the finals with the score of 72–78 to face Ateneo.
^Semifinals. FEU lost in the finals vs. La Salle, however, all of La Salle's games were forfeited from Seasons 66 to 68. The UAAP Board subsequently awarded the trophy to FEU in 2006.
