Jorick Bautista and overtime thrillers are becoming a signature combination.
His Far Eastern University edged Adamson University, 76-72, in a dramatic UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball clash on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
And Bautista – who scored 14 points in the fourth quarter and overtime in their previous win against Ateneo de Manila University – once again delivered in crunch time.
He nailed a clutch three-pointer from the top of the key to send the game into overtime, then added nine more points in the extra period to lead the Tamaraws to victory.
“What I thought about this morning is we’re really about four and a half months into this journey with me as head coach, and we’re starting to see the light with our offense and schemes,” said FEU head coach Sean Chambers.
“I feel like the guys are getting there, and it’s just going to take the older kuyas hitting big shots for us to get over the hump for the young guys.”
The Tamaraws had to survive a furious late-game rally from Adamson’s Mathew Montebon, who knocked down three triples in the final 1:20 of regulation.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
With FEU up 72-66 after Mo Konateh’s putback off a Rojan Montemayor miss with 30.5 seconds left, Montebon refused to back down. He drilled a three-pointer to cut the lead to a one-possession game, 72-69, with 22.3 seconds remaining.
Veejay Pre calmly sank his free throws on the next possession, but Montebon responded with another huge triple to trim the deficit to 74-72 with just 4.5 seconds left.
Bautista sealed the win for FEU by sinking two free throws, securing the Tamaraws’ second win of the season, both in overtime.
“Sa akin, masarap sa feeling. Siyempre, dati napagdaanan na namin ito, which means alam na namin ‘yung gagawin namin. Nag-stick lang kami, naglaro kami para sa isa’t isa,” said Bautista, a third-year Tamaraw from the FEU-Diliman program, who finished with 21 points and six rebounds.
Adamson seemed poised to win in regulation, leading 58-55 after Montebon’s two free throws with 28.6 seconds left.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
However, after Royce Alforque was fouled and missed both free throws, Konateh tapped the ball out to Bautista.
FEU’s shooter then knocked down the game-tying three-pointer with 14.8 seconds remaining.
Adamson’s Cedrick Manzano missed a chance to win the game in regulation with a jumper that fell short, forcing the game into overtime.
Konateh was a force inside, grabbing a monster 26 rebounds – half of FEU’s total boards – while adding 13 points and four blocks.
He also flirted with the league record of 27 rebounds, set by Ange Kouame of Ateneo on October 20, 2018.
Pre contributed 10 points and seven rebounds, while Alforque chipped in nine points, five assists, and three rebounds.
The Tamaraws, now holding a 2-6 record, will try to make it back-to-back wins when they face the University of the East on October 20 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena.
Adamson, meanwhile, suffered its third consecutive defeat, dropping to 3-5 and sitting in solo fifth place. Montebon, who missed his first seven shots, led the Soaring Falcons with 16 points, six assists, and four rebounds.
AJ Fransman added 11 points, while Manzano tallied 10 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out with 3:50 left in the overtime period.
Jhon Calisay also scored 10 points.
Adamson will aim to snap its losing streak next Saturday against De La Salle University, also at the UST gym.
The Scores:
FEU 76 – Bautista 21, Konateh 13, Pre 10, Alforque 9, Pasaol 8, Montemayor 8, Añonuevo 3, Daa 3, Ona 1, Nakai 0, Jones 0.
AdU 72 – Montebon 16, Fransman 11, Manzano 10, Calisay 10, Ojarikre 9, Yerro 4, Erolon 3, Mantua 3, Anabo 3, Alexander 3, Ramos 0, Barasi 0.
Quarterscores: 6-14, 29-25, 44-40, 58-58, 76-72
