By Dwyane Harry L. Cabrera

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Jorick Bautista recognized the team’s shortcomings after failing to surmount the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 64-70, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s basketball tourney earlier today, November 12, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“Kulang, kulang pa rin ‘yung pinakita namin ngayon… Balik kami sa training, ‘yung mga mali namin tatrabahuhin namin (We’re still lacking, what we showed today… We will train again, we will correct our lapses),” the co-captain said in a post-game interview with FEU Advocate. 

In the early minutes of the opening frame, Kirby Mongcopa’s freebie and Luke Felipe’s jumpshot kickstarted the team’s offense, 7-8.

Despite Rojan Montemayor and Neil Owens’ help, the Sean Chambers-led squad was still behind by five at the end of the quarter, 13-18.

An exchange of baskets took place between the two teams during the second canto before the Bulldogs tallied a 5-0 mini run, 23-34.

Slowly building their momentum, the green-and-gold squad registered an 11-4 blitz, reducing the gap by four to end the second frame, 34-38.

Carrying their momentum through the third quarter, FEU guards Bautista and Janrey Pasaol chipped in from downtown, followed by Jed Daa’s jumpshot and Mongcopa’s bonus to take the lead, 43-40.

However, the Tamaraws were unable to defend themselves from NU’s Jolo Manansala scoring which made them lose grip of the lead, 48-53.

Capitalizing on their shooting, Jayden Jones and Owens each fired their own treys, followed by a layup from Mongcopa, 56-53, at the start of the final frame.

Despite tying the match in an all-58 deadlock, the green-and-gold squad began to scramble to the Bulldogs’ offensive barrage.

Trailing by three with over a minute remaining at 64-67, the Morayta-based cagers eventually lost their chance at taking the lead as Bulldog Jake Figueroa drilled a three-pointer to end the game, 64-70. 

Pasaol powered the Tamaraws with a near double-double performance built on 15 markers, eight assists, and five rebounds, while Mongcopa added 10 points, five boards, and two assists.

Now at a 4-7 win-loss card, FEU keeps their hopes up in clinching a Final Four spot as they face De La Salle University on Sunday, November 16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. 

(Photo by Ma. Louela Luna/FEU Advocate)