Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw rookie Veejay Pre remained optimistic after absorbing their fourth season loss against host school University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 58-69, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 men’s basketball tourney today, September 22, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

“Sabi sa’min ni coach [Sean Chambers], ‘wag kaming tumigil lumaban; laban lang hanggang dulo, hangga’t ‘di pa natatapos [ang season], and makukuha rin namin ‘yung gusto namin (Just like coach Sean Chambers told us, we should keep on fighting; fight until the end while the season is not over, and we will get what we want),” the rookie said in a post-game interview with FEU Advocate.

Tamaraws Adam Nakai and Pre started the green-and-gold squad off by chipping in four points against the Maroons, 4-9.

Quick to adapt to the Diliman-based squad’s offensive approach, it was not long until Jorick Bautista set off a triple, followed by a pair of jumpshots, 11-19.

Royce Alforque then sealed the first frame with a three-point play after garnering a free throw as he scored two points, reducing the gap to 15-19.

Despite a close score after the first quarter, the Morayta-based squad gradually lost grip as they struggled to keep up on the defensive end.

Pre was able to extend his scoring after adding four points to the tally, followed by a two-point jumper in the paint by Rojan Montemayor.

After a technical foul by Fighting Maroon Francis Lopez, Tamaraw Bautista converted a free throw that placed FEU at 22-39 by the end of the second canto.

Off the halftime break, the green-and-gold team continued to spiral down as they missed a series of widely open shots, eventually succumbing to the pressure. 

Keeping their game afloat through free throws, Bautista, Mo Konateh, Janrey Pasaol, and Alforque gathered seven markers in total.

Bautista, Konateh, and Montemayor also scored a total of eight points outside of free throws, concluding the third quarter at 37-55.

FEU attempted a late run before the match ended to keep up with UP, but it was not enough as they ultimately fell short, 58-69.

Now on a four-game losing streak, Pre mentioned their need to follow their strategy and remain competitive.

“Kailangan lang namin talaga sumunod sa game plan; ‘wag kami masyado[ng] makuntento [kapag] konti lang ‘yung lamang, and basta work lang (We just really need to follow our game plan; we shouldn’t be content when the lead is small, and just work hard),” the Tam forward stated.

Nakai, Bautista, and Pre were at the forefront of the offense with 12, 11, and 10 markers, respectively. Foreign student-athlete Konateh also had another impressive rebounding game with eight points and 15 boards.

FEU will continue to show their grit for a win as they face off with De La Salle University on Wednesday, September 25, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

- Joshua Kyle Beltran
(Photo by Kayla Babista/FEU Advocate)