By Joshua Kyle Beltran

For the first time in three years, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws finally triumphed against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 84-83, after pulling off a late-game miracle in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s basketball tourney earlier today, November 16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

In the opening frame, FEU was able to tie with DLSU, 15-15, despite Earl Abadam’s triple treys. 

Evidently struggling with long-range shooting, the Tamaraws capitalized on layups to trail by as close as three at the end of the first canto, 16-19.

In the second quarter, Jedric Daa, Mo Konateh, and Janrey Pasaol combined for a 6-0 blitz to overtake La Salle, 26-25.

Now hot on their feet, the Morayta-based squad kept safety off to end the first half with a defining 10-point lead, 46-36.

Into the third canto, the green-and-gold cagers’ lead was immediately cut to three after green-and-white skippers Jacob Cortez and Mike Phillips combined for a six-point run, 46-43.

Followed by Jorick Bautista’s 6-0 run in the three minute-mark, Luke Felipe and Pasaol each drained their own triples to maintain FEU’s lead despite a freebie by Archer Doy Dungo, 67-64. 

Late-game jitters started to kick in for the Sean Chambers-led team as they headed into the fourth quarter with a 67-67 tie with La Salle. This was followed by three more deadlocks. 

During the final 30 seconds of the match, all hope seemed lost for the Tamaraws as they faced a one-point gap, 82-83. 

In a sudden yet exhilarating turn of events, pressure got the best of DLSU as Pasaol was able to find Kirby Mongcopa across the court for a quick layup, ending the game in an 84-83 victory.

In the post-game conference, Daa emphasized how much of a confidence boost this win gave them, even after numerous losses.

“At the end of the day, nag-respond lang kami nang tama, ‘tsaka, ‘tong panalo na ‘to, malaking kumpiyansa na magpapa-boost sa amin para sa next games para makamit namin ‘yung pinapangarap naming Final Four spot (We just responded accordingly, and this win, it gives us hope for the next games to reach our Final Four dreams),” he shared.

Meanwhile, Pasaol stayed firm with his faith, citing how God kept their Final Four hopes alive.

“Ngayong game, sobrang pasasalamat namin kay God talaga. Kung hindi kami nagabayan ni God nitong game na ‘to, wala na kami sa contenders sa Final Four… Laking boost sa confidence namin ‘to pagdating sa last two games namin (This game, we are grateful to God. If it weren’t for Him, we would be out of Final Four contention… This is a big boost to our confidence for our last two games),” he expressed.

The first five each contributed double digits, with Pasaol, Konateh, and Bautista tallying 17, 14, and 12 markers, respectively. Mongcopa and Daa followed with 10 points apiece.

With two games remaining at a 5-7 win-loss sheet, FEU is ready to give it their all as they face University of the East on Saturday, November 22, at the same venue.

(Photo by Ma. Louela Luna/FEU Advocate)