By Dwyane Harry L. Cabrera

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws’ late-game push was not enough to fend off the De La Salle University (DLSU) Archers, 72-74, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s basketball tournament earlier today, October 1, at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion.

With the game locked at nine-all, the Tamaraws suddenly fell behind when DLSU’s Mason Amos drilled in a tough four-point play, 9-13.

After Mo Konateh scored a bucket for the green-and-gold squad, FEU struggled to keep up with the Taft-based squad’s offensive plays, causing a 3-8 skid and an early seven-point deficit for FEU, 14-21, at the end of the opening frame.

Starting the second quarter, the Morayta-based cagers regained their shape, launching a 5-0 run in the early minutes.

However, the Tamaraws were unable to stop Jacob Cortez from answering them with back-to-back and-one plays, 19-27.

Janrey Pasaol and Jorick Bautista paired up to reduce the lead, adding four and three points, respectively, followed by Kirby Mongcopa’s free throw and Miguel Ona’s putback to decrease the gap down to seven, 30-37.

Neil Owens then spearheaded the Tamaraws’ offense with back-to-back jumpers capped off with Pasaol’s beyond-the-arc shot at the early minutes of the third quarter, 44-47.

Unfortunately, the green-and-gold cagers stumbled upon costly errors, giving the Archers breathing room to capitalize on an 11-0 blitz composed of charity stripe shots and two consecutive three-point buckets, 44-58.

Konateh broke down the streak with a slam dunk before trading baskets with the Archers. Mongcopa also contributed a midrange shot, keeping the gap at 13, 51-64.

FEU's late-game push came to play in the final frame as they surged back with Pasaol tallying seven points and Konateh adding two points that resulted in a 9-2 run, cutting the gap by six, 60-66.

Owens contributed two free throws right before Pasaol dropped five points to fuel a 7-0 run, reducing the gap to one, 69-70.

However, the green-and-gold team’s late resurgence was shattered in the last two minutes as DLSU registered a 4-0 mini run, 69-74.

Bautista launched a deep three to keep the game alive for the Tamaraws but it was not enough as seconds died out of the clock, 72-74.

In the post-game conference, head coach Sean Chambers commended the team’s improvement after their game against National University last September 27. 

“I was really proud of my guys, because after the NU game, we really focused on our execution and our offense… I thought we did a phenomenal job… We’re young, we fought, we got ourselves back there,” he said.

The lead tactician also expressed his confidence for upcoming games after finishing two points behind former finalists DLSU.

“After that first [De] La Salle game, we’re a problem now. We’ve figured out what we need to do, and I’m very confident moving forward,” Chambers shared.

Despite the loss, Pasaol lit up the scoreboard with 25 markers, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals while Konateh delivered a double-double performance of 14 points and 10 boards. 

The Tamaraws remain winless with a 0-3 win-loss record and will continue to hunt for their first win against Adamson University on Sunday, October 5, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

(Photo by Melvin James Urubio/FEU Advocate)