After nearly two years away, Kirby Mongcopa returned to the UAAP hardwood—but the 6-foot-4 forward struggled to find his rhythm in his first game back, scoring just two points on 1-of-6 shooting and committing four turnovers as Far Eastern University fell to the Ateneo Blue Eagles in overtime, 83-86.
On Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Mongcopa showed a glimpse of his potential, contributing 16 points, eight rebounds, two steals, and a block, though FEU still fell to National University, 68-84.
For head coach Sean Chambers, however, this is only the beginning for Mongcopa, who just received clearance to play last June after the last two years of his playing career in senior high school due to a motorcycle accident in 2023.
“A lot of people don’t know Kirby just got cleared in the middle of June so he’s only been like going full tilt for about two months,” Chambers said.
“We’re asking a lot from a guy that’s been out for two years but he was phenomenal today and I think he’s gonna continue to get better.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Mongcopa was a key figure during the Baby Tamaraws’ championship run in the Season 85 High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament, averaging 12.39 points, 10.17 rebounds, 3.06 assists, 2.17 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game.
The 6-foot-4 forward was expected to take on more responsibility in Grades 11 and 12 but was sidelined by the accident he suffered in Dumaguete.
While Chambers called his performance against the Bulldogs phenomenal, Mongcopa remains self-critical.
“Ang dami ko pa naman years so ang dami ko pa ring tatrabahuhin. Yung team namin din kailangan pa naming magtrabaho,” the rookie said.
“Sa tingin ko hindi naman maganda ‘yung laro ko eh. Gusto ko, like more than 16 pa ‘yung makukuha namin. Gusto ko kami lahat mag-improve.”
Mongcopa and FEU will have their third chance at their first win on Wednesday against De La Salle University at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
