By Vince Matthew Jaramilla
Tamaraw Kirby Mongcopa powered Far Eastern University (FEU) to surmount defending champions De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 90-78, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 men’s basketball tourney earlier today, September 30, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The forward led all scorers with 20 markers, five boards, and three assists.
In the post-game press conference, Mongcopa emphasized the significance of the victory for the team and the work it took to get there.
“Sobrang importante [sa ‘min] ngayon na makuha ‘yung panalo against sa defending champion team. Pinagtrabahuhan namin ‘yung game na ‘to… Nirespeto lang namin sila. Ginawa lang namin ‘yung tama and simple basketball lang (It’s very important for us now to get the win against the defending champion team. We worked for this game. We just respected them. We just did the right things and played simple basketball),” he said.
The green-and-gold cagers showcased solid play to start the game off, creating stops and simple sets to take the early lead, 10-6.
After a timeout with three minutes left in the first quarter, FEU utilized full-court pressure on DLSU and converted on offense to dominate the frame, 25-13, with seven Tamaraws already on the scoreboard.
In the second quarter, foul trouble quickly plagued the Morayta-based squad, already in the penalty despite seven minutes and 50 seconds remaining.
Still, FEU sustained its double-digit lead till the end of the half, continuing to cash in even the toughest of their shots, 52-38.
However, the Tamaraws’ defensive lapses became more of an issue by the third frame, pushing head coach Sean Chambers to sue for time when the Green Archers cut the advantage to a single digit with seven minutes remaining, 56-48.
Mongcopa led the third-quarter scoring to keep the green-and-gold squad going, accounting for 20 of their 24 points to stay ahead, 76-62.
In the final quarter, easy baskets turned out scarce for both sides as each imposed suffocating physicality.
Fortunately, FEU’s cushion built throughout the first three frames was enough to secure the win comfortably, 90-78.
In the same conference, Chambers attributed the victory to the maturity nurtured within the team throughout his tenure.
“Now that these guys are in year three — Jedric [Daa], Janrey [Pasaol], Mo [Konateh] — we [have] a level of maturity we never had before. I can still remember the nightmare here when we were up on La Salle... And then we ended up losing by four… [Coming] from there made us stronger two years later... That maturity, and then to incorporate it with the young guys, is the ideal of building a program,” he stated.
The lead tactician also assured that the 2-1 Morayta squad will remain level-headed as they make a five-way tie at the top spot with University of the Philippines (UP), National University (NU), Ateneo de Manila University, and University of Santo Tomas.
“These guys are young guys. There’s so much to get better at. There’s so much to learn from it. Until we start beating La Salle, and UP or [NU], then we’re going to know that we actually are one of the contenders. So we have to take this game, enjoy it, but we [have] got to move on… I don't know the schedule, but it’s never [an] easy day here. So, I’m just, I’m happy that we’re there,” Chambers added.
Cabs Cabonilas and Jorick Bautista followed in scoring with 17 and 12 points, respectively. Konateh and Daa then rounded out the double-digit Tamaraw list with 10 markers each.
FEU will continue to run the UAAP gauntlet as they go against Season 88 silver medalists UP on Sunday, October 4, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
(Photo by Jhanraine Manansala/FEU Advocate)