Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws subdued University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 94-83, in a tense match-up in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 men's basketball tournament earlier today, November 4, at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Morayta-based squad started strong with center Mo Konateh drawing first blood, followed by captain Jorick Bautista and Kirby Mongcopa’s back-to-back layups, 6-0.
Notwithstanding FEU’s early offensive surge, UE Red Warrior Cole Cruz-Dumont tried to keep the competition within reach with a three-point jumpshot, 6-3.
Despite heading basket-for-basket, the Tamaraws lost grip of possession, ending the first frame edged by UE by a point, 24-25.
Picking up where they left off, Tamaraw cager Marc Burgos delivered back-to-back baskets to keep FEU within striking distance, followed by a Mongcopa basket and Luke Felipe's three-point jump shot to level the game, 33-33.
FEU guards Elias Gish and Janrey Pasaol then broke the deadlock with successful charity shots and defensive baskets, 41-35.
The Sean Chambers-led squad reclaimed control from the first quarter’s drought, gradually building momentum into halftime with an eight-point cushion, 49-41.
Coming into the second half, FEU cager Konateh sustained the green-and-gold squad’s winning stride before Mongcopa drained a deep triple, 54-43.
The Morayta-based squad pursued a halftime advantage through collective scoring efforts, with Bautista firing a catch-and-shoot triple, 68-58.
FEU remained composed heading into the final frame as Gish capped the third quarter with a three-pointer of his own, leaving defenseless UE quiet in the dying seconds, 71-58.
Entering the final stretch, the green-and-gold squad maintained offensive play with Cabs Cabonilas converting a bucket from Pasaol’s assist, 75-62.
Meanwhile, Mongcopa’s back-to-back baskets followed by Bautista’s consistent charity stripe extended the Tamaraws’ advantage to 86-70.
The Chambers-lead squad remained aggressive in the final minutes with Konateh’s crucial conversions and Bautista’s timely baskets, finishing the game with a 94-83 victory over the Red Warriors
In a post-game conference, head coach Chambers expressed his gratitude to put themselves into better contention this season.
“We should be very happy that we put ourselves in this situation. Once again, we get to control our own destiny,” he remarked.
The lead tactician also revealed taking a tougher approach heading into halftime in response to the team's first-half mishaps.
“I got out of my character at halftime because I felt like we should have been better in the first half. I went ‘Mean Coach Sean’ on them at halftime and really let them know that I thought we were playing some selfish basketball,” he shared.
Additionally, the head coach affirmed his optimism with the Tamaraw rookies such as Gish, further claiming that the rookie guard can take on more responsibilities on the court in the near future.
“What he can do [on] the basketball court is absolutely phenomenal… and, like, again, those three freshmen that we have are going to be dynamite in the UAAP and the Philippines moving forward,” Chambers highlighted.
Team captain Bautista bannered 18 points, four rebounds, and one steal; while Konateh and Mongcopa chipped in 15 points apiece, followed by Gish’s 13 baskets.
Continuing the search for a position in the final four this season, FEU improves to a 6-4 win-loss record and expects to keep their winning momentum against University of Santo Tomas on Sunday, November 8, at the same venue.
(Photo by Gabriel Matencio/FEU Advocate)