By Dwyane Harry L. Cabrera
Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws Mo Konateh’s preseason-high performance was still not enough to push the green-and-gold squad to the winning column against De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 77-82, in the Playtime Cares 19th FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup earlier today, June 12, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Konateh put up a double-double performance built on 29 points and 12 boards.
In the opening quarter, the Jorick Bautista-led cagers absorbed an early beating from Green Archers Jacob Cortez and Luis Pablo’s offensive barrage, forcing the Tamaraws to use their timeout, 10-18.
The green-and-gold squad then sparked a comeback, answering with a 7-0 run but it was short-lived as the green-and-white squad answered with a trey, wrapping the frame at 19-24.
Entering the second canto, FEU was able to respond to DLSU, causing a nip-and-tuck trade. Unfortunately, the Tamaraws still suffered an eight-point deficit, 33-41.
The Morayta-based squad clawed its way back with an 8-3 run sparked by Bautista and Konateh to trim the deficit to 41-44, but was unable to equalize before halftime as Jedric Daa’s three-point attempt missed at the buzzer.
Entering the third quarter, both teams traded basket-for-basket until the score reached 49-52.
The green-and-gold squad managed to break through with a 6-0 blitz, getting their first lead of the game with a one-point margin, 55-54.
Unfortunately, the Morayta-based squad was unable to sustain their lead after the Taft-based team shot two freebies and a buzzer-beater trey, 55-59.
Trailing by six in the final frame, rookie Cabs Cabonilas made his presence felt after a 5-0 solo run that cut their disadvantage to one, 70-71.
The Tamaraws were unable to fend off the Green Archers’ late-game rally, tallying a 0-7 skid, 70-78.
FEU still tried to fight back with their own 7-2 play, but fell short as the game reached its endpoint, 77-82.
In a post game interview with FEU Advocate, Tamaraw head coach Sean Chambers shared that he views the team as one of the top contenders for the upcoming season.
“I honestly feel we are going to be one of the top teams in the league, it was a great show of heart by all the guys. And to come out and play La Salle after playing yesterday at 5 o'clock in a quick turnaround and play today at 3 o'clock was a big mental challenge for the guys. But you can see how much better we are from last year's team already,” he expressed.
Furthermore, the head analyst credited Konateh’s performance.
“I told the guys yesterday that we have to make Mo [Konateh] a focal point of what we're doing. We have to be able to establish him, especially in a situation where Kirby [Mongcopa] couldn't play today, and so Mo responded extremely well with 29 points, 12 rebounds. So he's been trying to find his way again, but I was extremely happy with his effort,” he said.
Other key contributors were Cabonilas’ double-double game with 11 markers and 12 boards, along with Bautista’s 15 points.
FEU now sits at a 1-3 win-loss record with hopes to improve against University of the Philippines next month, July 7, at the same venue.
(Photo courtesy of FilOil EcoOil Sports)