By Marcus Isaac D.G. Bandong

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws’ playoffs bid remain within striking distance after an exhilarating narrow win over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, 81-79, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men's basketball tournament earlier today, November 26, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Morayta-based squad looked hungry on both ends of the floor, courtesy of their interior presence, 12-6.

Despite the Tigers’ heightened aggression, the Tamaraws managed to keep their six-point lead with the help of Mo Konateh's back-to-back buckets at the end of the first frame, 14-8.

Entering the second frame, the Morayta-based squad continued their dominance over the Growling Tigers as they mounted a double-digit lead after Konateh's block and layup, 21-11.

This play spurred FEU's Luke Felipe to sink in four consecutive jaw-dropping triples which resulted in their largest lead, 43-20.

In keeping up their offensive barrage, Janrey Pasaol finished with a tough lay to end the first half, 46-25.

However, the tides swiftly turned in the second half for the Morayta-based squad after España-based squad's Gelo Crisostomo had a personal 10-point run, 46-35.

To counter UST's offensive barrage, the Sean Chambers-led squad had an eight-point spurt after Kirby Mongcopa and Felipe's back-to-back trey, 56-41.

To maintain their double-digit lead, the Tamaraws continued to push the pace on offense to hold their 15-point advantage to end the third quarter, 63-48.

Going into the final frame, green-and-gold squad closer Jorick Bautista maintained composure with his personal five-point run to keep the Growling Tigers at bay, 73-58.

However, the Tamaraws could not contain the España-based squad's defensive aggression which led to a steal that resulted in a Crisostomo lay to cut the lead to one, 80-79.

With 1.4 seconds left in the match, Bautista sank in a freebie to give them the slim two-point lead to end the match, 81-79.

In embracing team basketball, Bautista, Konateh, and Felipe all contributed 15 points each, while Pasaol and Mongcopa both pitched in 13 markers apiece.

In the post game conference, head coach Sean Chambers credited the team chemistry in ending the season with a better record.

“We put ourselves in our situation to receive this, to get to 7-7... We love each other like family and it showed how we played earlier, and we just kept grinding,” the lead tactician said.

Meanwhile, co-captain Bautista emphasized the team’s growth in maturity that led to a better performance in the second round.

“Siguro ‘yung maturity, kasi 'yun talaga nagbuhat lahat at pagdating ng second round na-ano namin lahat ng technicality sa games, ayun nagbunga naman lahat (I think it's the team's maturity, it carried us all throughout the second round, we have managed the technicalities, and it paid off),” he shared.

The waiting game

As of writing, the Tamaraws temporarily gave themselves a surviving chance and will await the winner of the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) contra De La Salle University (DLSU) match later today.

If AdMU wins their game against DLSU, a triple tie among the three teams will be prompted, leading to an extended playoff match for the last spot of the Final Four. If not, today’s match against UST will mark team captain Miguel Ona, Aeron Bagunu, and Neil Owens’ last time playing for the green-and-gold squad.

(Photo by Shane Claudine Rodulfo/FEU Advocate)