Far Eastern University learned its lesson from the first round, holding off Adamson University, 73-66, to snap its three-game losing streak in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Tamaraws opened the season with a 56-53 defeat to the Soaring Falcons after squandering a nine-point lead, 46-37, heading into the fourth quarter.
This time, however, FEU managed to preserve its 14-point advantage, 58-44, entering the payoff period to secure the victory.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Following that opening-game collapse, FEU went on a four-game winning streak before suffering three consecutive losses.
The Tamaraws bounced back on Wednesday to improve to 5-4, moving above .500 and into a three-way tie for third place with De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University.
“It really showed in the first three quarters and a half how well we were focusing on our defensive side of the ball. We were making great stops, and we were making sure we’re defending the three-point line. Of course, we didn’t like how we finished off the game, but I think that’s basketball; we finished it off,” said Tamaraws head coach Sean Chambers.
Kenji Cañete’s driving layup with 2:59 remaining pulled Adamson within five points, 60-65, but that proved to be the closest the Soaring Falcons would get.
Reigning MVP Janrey Pasaol responded with a booming triple from the left corner before Jorick Bautista sank two free throws to restore FEU’s double-digit cushion, 70-60, with 1:43 left.
FEU drew production from multiple players, led by Kirby Mongcopa, who finished with 13 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and one steal. Rookie Cabs Cabonillas added 11 points and six rebounds.
Pasaol contributed 10 points, six assists, three rebounds, and two steals, while Marc Burgos also scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds.
Bautista chipped in eight points despite shooting just two-of-14 from the field, while Mo Konateh posted eight points, 21 rebounds, and two blocks.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Meanwhile, Adamson fell to 4-5, tying the University of Santo Tomas for sixth place in the standings.
Cañete led the Soaring Falcons with a career-high 14 points, while Matt Erolon contributed 13 points and three assists.
Adamson’s Nigerian center Precious Jonah, who had nine points, six rebounds, and three assists, injured his right leg following a collision with teammate Earl Medina and Tamaraws rookie Elias Gish during a boxout at the 5:51 mark of the third quarter. He did not return to the game.
Both teams return to action next Wednesday, November 4, at the Big Dome. FEU will take on the University of the East at 2:30 p.m., while Adamson faces league-leader University of the Philippines at 5 p.m.
The Scores:
FEU (73) – Mongcopa 13, Cabonilas 11, Pasaol 10, Burgos 10, Bautista 8, Konateh 8, Daa 5, Nakai 3, Felipe 3, Gish 2.
AdU (66) – Cañete 14, Erolon 13, Jonah 9, Edding 8, Medina 7, Anabo 7, Montebon 4, Torres 2, Tumaneng 2, Perez 0, Mangaron 0, Demisana 0.
Quarterscores: 11-11, 34-22, 58-44, 73-66.
