Far Eastern University-Diliman rallied from 11 points down to beat Adamson University, 85-74, and move on the cusp of annexing the UAAP Season 85 high school boys basketball crown, Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
It was the first time the Baby Tamaraws, who are eyeing their first title since UAAP Season 79, beat the Baby Falcons in three meetings this year.
Trailing by 11 points in the first half, the Baby Tamaraws held the Baby Falcons to only nine field goals in the last two periods to claim the series opener.
A VJ Pre lay-up off a John Rey Pasaol assist put FEU-Diliman ahead at 58-57 with 1:21 in the third period.
The Baby Tamaraws continued to roll as Kirby Mongcopa’s triple gave the Baby Tamaraws a 69-59 lead with 6:29 left and never looked back.
“Yung first na nilaro namin, hindi pang-playoffs eh. Yun ang sinabi ko sa kanila sa halftime na maglaro kami na pang-playoff. Feeling ko ramdam nila yung panalo nila noong Final Four,” said FEU-Diliman coach Allan Albano.
“Mabuti na lang at nag-respond yung mga players sa second half. They did their best na manalo rito pero hindi pa rin ako satisfied as a playoff game or championship game. Yung intensity nila kulang,” he added.
Mongcopa had a huge 20-point, 20-point outing to go along with eight assists for the Baby Tamaraws.
Game 2 is at 4:00 PM on Friday, and Mongcopa is bracing for a huge Adamson University fightback.
“Itong panalo ngayon, hindi pa rin kami makuntento. Kailangang gumawa ng paraan para next game, para makuha ang dapat,” said Mongcopa.
Luke Felipe had 14 points, five boards and two steals, Pasaol and Jedric Daa each had 13 points while Dwyne Miranda chipped in 10 points, eight boards, and two assists for FEU-Diliman. Pre grabbed 10 rebounds
Peter Rosillo led the Baby Falcons with 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists while Carlo Bonzalida, who had a no-relief job in the second half, had 18 points and 13 rebounds.
“Hat off to FEU, they played well in the second half, kami first half lang. Sabi ko nga nung halftime, nobody wins a game in the first half. Paglabas namin ng halftime, hindi ko alam yung nangyari,” said Baby Falcons head coach Mike Fermin, who is looking to end Adamson’s 30-year title drought in the sport.
“Hopefully by Game Two, we can turn things around,” he hopes.
Catch Game Two of the UAAP Season 85 High School Boys’ Basketball Finals on Friday at 3:00 p.m.
Watch the games live on the UAAP Varsity Channel (Ch. 263 HD). Available on Prepaid Loads 300 & up (valid for 30 days) or you can watch your favorite match-ups.
The Scores:
FEU-D (85) — Mongcopa 20, Felipe 14, Pasaol 13, Daa 13, Miranda 10, Pre 8, Cabonilas 7, Salangsang 0, Bautista 0, Pascual 0.
AdU (74) –– Rosillo 19, Bonzalida 18, Reyes 15, Edding 9, Medina 6, Abayon 3, Garcia 2, Mepaña 2, Sajili 0.
Quarterscores: 25-23, 39-50, 60-59, 85-74
