By: Joaquin Cortez
Janrey Pasaol proved that one costly mistake would not define his season, delivering a clutch triple to help Far Eastern University fend off Adamson University on Wednesday.
With the Soaring Falcons threatening to erase FEU’s double-digit lead in the closing minutes, the reigning Most Valuable Player drained a corner triple with 1:50 remaining to help the Tamaraws preserve their advantage and secure the much-needed victory, 73-66, in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Pasaol finished with 10 points, three rebounds, six assists, and two steals as FEU avoided another late-game collapse against the same opponent that handed the Tamaraws a 53-56 defeat in their season opener.
“‘Yung last three points ko sa corner, parang nasa right moment lang ako no’ng time na ‘yun. Wala akong iniisip pa kundi i-shoot na lang ‘yung bola,” Pasaol said.
“Thank you kay Lord kasi ginabayan niya ‘yung tira ko.”
The clutch basket was a timely response from Pasaol, who was coming off a difficult finish in FEU’s 72-75 loss to Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday.
With the Tamaraws trailing by three in the final 3.7 seconds, Pasaol opted for a two-point floater instead of attempting a potential game-tying three-pointer. The shot prevented FEU from forcing overtime and extending its losing streak to three games.
Despite the costly decision, the second-year point guard accepted responsibility for his mistake and focused on bouncing back.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Tinanggap ko na lang talaga ‘yung pagkakamali ko. Nasa akin naman talaga ‘yung bola na ‘yun. Ngayon, at least, kaya kong bumawi,” he said.
Head coach Sean Chambers stood by Pasaol despite his late-game decision, emphasizing that FEU’s loss to Ateneo could not be attributed to a single possession.
“There are a hundred plays in a basketball game, although that shot was magnified because of the mistake that he made, but it didn’t determine the game. We had so many other mistakes. We didn’t play to our normal characteristics that we played today,” Chambers said.
Chambers added that he deliberately avoided singling out Pasaol during practice, choosing instead to encourage the guard and the rest of the team to move forward.
“I didn’t make it a big deal in practice. I didn’t call Jan out or say, ‘Do better.’ It happens. I told Jan, and I told the team, ‘We would not let that play define him.’ Just continue to play basketball and play hard. It’ll come back around,” the third-year FEU coach added.
The Tamaraws also applied the lessons they learned from their three-game skid, particularly the importance of protecting their leads in the second half.
“Lahat kasi ng games na ‘yun, sobrang laki ‘yung lead namin. And no’ng second half, parang nag-adjust talaga kami kung paano kami defensa, paano hindi ma-cut ‘yung lead sa second half. Ngayon naman, nagampanan naman namin,” Pasaol said.
As FEU looks to regain its footing in the second round, Pasaol emphasized the camaraderie that has kept the Tamaraws together through their struggles.
“Lagi lang kami naghu-huddle. Team talaga kami kapag kumakain, sabay-sabay. ‘Yun lang ang nagke-keep [sa amin] to continue our journey this season,” he said.
For Pasaol and the Tamaraws, the victory meant more than ending their losing streak. It was a reminder that one mistake would not define their season as long as they continued to fight together.
