Mo Konateh dominated the paint and reminded the UAAP that Far Eastern University is still very much in the hunt.
The towering 6-foot-10 Gambian propelled the Tamaraws to a crucial 64-58 victory over Adamson University on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena, helping FEU finally crack the win column after a three-game drought.
Konateh’s performance was impossible to ignore: 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting inside the arc, plus a massive 21 rebounds and three assists. He also had two timely blocks, including a critical stop on Emmanuel Anabo with 1:26 remaining to seal the Tamaraws’ win.
“That’s what we expect from him [Mo Konateh] and I was glad that he really stepped up today,” said FEU coach Sean Chambers, praising his star big man.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For his heroic efforts, Konateh was named the Collegiate Press Corps’ UAAP Men’s Player of the Week, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, for the period of October 1 to 5.
He averaged 16.0 points, 15.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.0 block, edging out a strong field that included Ateneo’s Dom Escobar and Shawn Tuano, La Salle’s Mike Phillips, UST’s Nic Cabañero, and UP’s Harold Alarcon.
A member of last season’s Mythical Team, Konateh has consistently been a force for the Tamaraws.
Even in FEU’s narrow 72-74 loss to De La Salle University earlier in the week, he still posted impressive numbers with 14 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
Chambers noted that while the Tamaraws “had their moments” in previous games, Konateh’s dominance inside was what made the difference against Adamson.
And it helped FEU avoid a 0-4 start while sending a clear message to the rest of the league: the Tamaraws are here to contend.
