By Dwyane Harry L. Cabrera

Despite a slim deficit in the fourth quarter, Kirby Mongcopa’s double-double performance led the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws to fend off the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons at overtime, securing a 73-70 win in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s basketball tourney earlier today, November 2, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Mongcopa tallied 11 markers and 17 boards followed by four assists, one block, and one steal to help the Tamaraws sweep AdU in the eliminations.

In the post-game conference, the senior rookie expressed how the team should improve their discipline to avoid going into overtime (OT).

“Kailangan din namin sa isa’t isa namin ng disiplina. Paano mag-control ng gano’ng laro, kasi ayon nga, eh, hindi na dapat aabot ng overtime ‘yon kung naging disiplinado kami sa second half (We also need to have discipline with each other. We need to learn how to control those kinds of games, because honestly, it would not have even reached overtime if we were more disciplined in the second half),” he stated.

Down by five in the early minutes, the Tamaraws quickly answered, tallying their own 5-0 run, courtesy of Mongcopa’s trey and Janrey Pasaol’s bonus shots, 5-5.

After the timeout, Luke Felipe and Miguel Ona made their presences known with a three-point shot and a jumpshot, respectively, taking the lead by the end of the first quarter, 13-11.

Halfway through the second quarter, the Sean Chambers-led squad fired at all angles for their first double-digit lead, 28-17. 

However, FEU struggled to contain Adamson’s late mini-run, forcing the green-and-gold cagers to settle for a slim seven-point cushion heading into halftime, 31-24.

Early in the third canto, the Morayta-based squad capitalized on four freebies from Jorick Bautista and Jedric Daa, followed by another two from Bautista, 37-24.

Riding on the momentum, Rojan Montemayor took matters into his own hands, trading baskets with the San Marcelino-based squad’s 10-11 skid, 47-35.

Yet, the Tamaraws absorbed a 2-7 play from AdU in the final minutes of the third frame, 49-42.

Heading into the final canto, FEU found themselves taking blows from Adamson main gunners Cedrick Manzano and Ray Torres, as the Falcons slowly chipped away a 15-22 deficit before eventually forcing a 64-all deadlock.

The Morayta-based squad nearly had the win in their hands, but Neil Owen’s potential game-winning triple in the final three seconds came up short, pushing the game into OT.

In a back-and-forth trade of baskets in the extra period, the game once again settled at a 70-all deadlock.

After Pasaol’s two freebies, Mongcopa blocked a shot from AdU’s Montebon in the final 18 seconds to prevent a supposed tie, 72-70.

In the dying seconds of the game, one of Mongcopa’s four free throws were enough to secure the win, reinforced by Falcons Torres and Montaban’s three-point attempts falling short, 73-70.

Meanwhile, FEU head coach Sean also expressed his gratitude toward the win and his players alike.

“I'm happy for the win, this league is incredible. I'm looking at Kirby's number 17 rebounds for a freshman and a lot of points, and Janrey continued to make some big plays down the stretch when we needed him the most," he added.

Pasaol’s near triple-double also assisted the Tamaraws composing of 10 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, along with Bautista and Montemayor's 12 and 11 markers, respectively..

Riding on an improved 4-6 win-loss card, the Morayta-based squad is looking to add another win against University of Santo Tomas next Sunday, November 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

(Photo courtesy of the UAAP Media Team)