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.
With the game on the line, University of the East rookie Allan Caidic, with the chance of beating the rival FEU to win the championship, missed both free throws and let the Tamaraws led by Glenn Capacio steal the 1981 title.