By Krizza Gabrielle Tabora
Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws closed their elimination campaign with a two-game win streak after a commanding victory over the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons, 79-63, in the Playtime Cares 19th FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup earlier today, July 8, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Both teams went point-for-point in the opening quarter until Cabs Cabonilas delivered a layup and a triple to give the Tamaraws a six-point advantage, before Mo Konateh sealed the frame, 19-14.
The Morayta-based squad maintained their rhythm in the second period as Kirby Mongcopa nailed a fadeaway jumper, followed by a Luke Felipe trey to extend the advantage, 24-16.
Tamaraw cagers Felipe, Janrey Pasaol, and Mongcopa connived for a barrage of three-pointers to leave AdU trailing behind by 14, 30-16.
However, despite the green-and-gold squad’s strong defense, their advantage was trimmed to six after Falcons Matty Erolon, Earl Medina, and Ray Allen Torres attempted to close the lead, 34-28.
Pasaol immediately responded with back-to-back three-pointers of his own to give the Tamaraws the upper hand heading into halftime, 40-33.
Entering the third canto, Cabonilas, Konateh, and Marc Burgos suppressed AdU’s scoring momentum to keep the blue-and-white squad at bay, 60-52.
Aiming to sustain their dominance in the final frame, Burgos and Pasaol kicked off the quarter with a three-point jump shot apiece to maintain a comfortable lead, 66-54.
Mongcopa and Jorick Bautista then strengthened their defense while adding four crucial markers to deny the Falcons any chance of a late-game surge, 72-61.
Eventually, Cabonilas and Konateh delivered consecutive layups to seal the win for FEU, 79-63.
During the post-game conference, head coach Sean Chambers applauded the team’s back-to-back win after their game against the University of the Philippines (UP) yesterday.
“UP means nothing if you don't come back and show up today, and we can learn something from UP who came against DLSU [De La Salle University] – being able to play back-to-back games and we didn’t ask for the schedule, but that's what the schedule is. But to come out and show that we can commit to play at a level of intensity in order to be successful is really good. I'm proud of the guys,” he expressed.
Moreover, University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 88 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Pasaol shared that he has adjusted to the pressure of being the reigning MVP as he now focuses on preparations for Season 89.
“Noong unang game ko dito sa FilOil ramdam na ramdam ko 'yung feeling na gusto nila kuhanin 'yung titulo na 'yun. Parang lahat ng tao, lahat ng sino babantay sa’kin, gigil na gigil sila. Ngayon nakakaadjust naman na ako sa ganung sistema, naging komportable na rin ako sa ginagawa ko ngayon (During my first game here at FilOil, I really felt that they really wanted to get that title. It felt like everyone, whoever was guarding me, was so eager and intense. Now, I’ve been able to adjust to that kind of system, and I’ve also become comfortable with what I am doing now),” he said.
Konateh led the green-and-gold squad’s scoring with 21 points and 12 rebounds, followed by Mongcopa and Cabonilas with 14 markers.
The Morayta-based team officially ends their preseason campaign with a 3-3 win-loss card.
(Photo courtesy of FilOil EcoOil Sports)