By Angel Joyce C. Basa

From bagging a championship title in the juniors division to sitting out seasons due to injury, Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Kirby Mongcopa has returned to the hardwood with his debut in the upcoming University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.

Mongcopa ended his campaign with the FEU Baby Tamaraws with a gold medal and a Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) recognition during their championship matchup with the Adamson University Baby Falcons in Season 85.

However, a fractured right leg sustained from a motorcycle accident abruptly halted his bid for another title in what was supposed to be his final season with FEU-Diliman.

Two full seasons and a fully healed leg later, the former Finals MVP is set to make his mark as a rookie, alongside the rest of the Tamaraws. Still, his long layoff added to the pressure of playing basketball anew.

“Siguro, may pressure. Maninibago ako kasi first time ko maglaro sa collegiate basketball (I think there’s pressure. I would feel unfamiliar because it is my first time playing in collegiate basketball),” he shared in an interview with SPIN.ph.

Despite the difficulty, he continues to push himself in practice every day to make up for the years he missed.

“Pinu-push ko lang ‘yung sarili ko para makasabay ako sa [teammates] ko at ‘yun, [mag]pakondisyon lang (I just keep pushing myself to be able to keep up with my teammates and be conditioned),” he said in an interview with FEU Advocate.

His return to the hardcourt also marks his reunion with the remnants of his high school core team, including Janrey Pasaol and Jedric Daa, which has helped boost his confidence with the team. 

In a previous interview last June, Pasaol credited Mongcopa’s presence during their 2025 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup stint despite losing Season 87 men’s basketball Rookie of the Year Veejay Pre and Dwyne Miranda, who were also part of their Season 85 championship team.

“Marami naman nag-step-up. Kakarating lang ni Kirby, kababalik lang sa game—so masaya kami sa team namin ngayon, sa kung ano narating namin ngayon pa lang (Many have stepped up. Kirby just arrived, and he’s getting back into the game—so we’re happy with where we are and what we’ve achieved so far),” he stated.

Marking his first game back in their loss against Ateneo de Manila University last Saturday, Mongcopa is now hoping for a vindictive season as they are yet to clinch their first win of the season as they face the National University Bulldogs on Saturday, September 27, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

(Photo by Melvin James Urubio/FEU Advocate)