By Marcus Isaac D.G. Bandong
Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws had difficulty getting past the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers’ tough defense, 66-90, in the Playtime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup earlier today, July 4, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
After a thrilling overtime win last June 20, the Tamaraws found themselves in a gritty battle for a quarterfinal ticket with the Green Archers to start the first quarter, 6-10.
Fortunately, FEU made use of DLSU's missed shots to close the gap at the end of the first canto courtesy of Luke Felipe's quick five points, 15-17.
However, the green-and-gold squad found themselves in a double-digit gap in the second quarter after DLSU's Kean Baclaan's 10-point takeover, 17-29.
FEU continued their offensive slump as they struggled to overcome a commanding 16-point lead, 29-45.
Entering the second half, the Morayta-based cagers failed to match the Taft-based squad's offense as the gap ballooned to 20 by the end of the third canto, 46-66.
Despite the heightened effort, the Tamaraws never built any momentum as the Green Archers were lights out from deep, handing them a dominant 24-point deficit to end the match, 66-90.
In an interview with FEU Advocate, head coach Sean Chambers shared that the team was still exhausted from their recently concluded Mayor Kirk Asis Open Invitational Basketball Tournament in Bayugan.
"It's a matter of us getting fatigued, as well as Adamson [University], as well as University of Santo Tomas, it seemed like every team that went to Bayugan was still a little bit fatigued on that trip," the lead tactician shared.
In spite of the blowout loss, foreign student-athlete Mo Konateh finished with an impressive double-double of 15 points and 17 rebounds.
Now at a 3-2 record, FEU has one last shot to secure a quarterfinal spot in their last elimination game against the National University Bulldogs on July 6, at the same venue.
(Photo by Alexandra Louise N. Borbon/FEU Advocate)