By Aimerose C. Atienza

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws fell short against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 3x3 men’s basketball tourney yesterday, May 4, at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City.

The Tamaraws established a close gap against the Archers as they kept a one-point deficit during the first few minutes of the match, 4-5, courtesy of Rojan Montemayor’s two-pointer shot.

However, it was difficult for the green-and-gold squad to keep in close as La Salle’s Jonnel Policarpio rallied two points past FEU to create a 7-11 mark.

As FEU struggled to keep their offense, DLSU committed a technical foul which paved the way for the Morayta squad to gain possession and inch closer, 16-18. 

With Archer CJ Austria’s free throw, the match ended on a 16-21 score under 10 minutes of playing time.

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, Montemayor took the experience with unfortunate events.

“Good experience and may winnable games kami, and may unfortunate circumstances kami (we have winnable games, and unfortunate circumstances),” he shared.

During the second game, momentum was clearly not on the side of FEU as they faced the Growling Tigers for their second match of the day. 

The Tamaraws struggled to execute on their offensive ends as their score was equalized with Cabañero’s 14-point output, 14-19, to end the match.

Nearing the 3x3 season’s end, Montemayor still acknowledged the improvements made by the team this season.

Nag-improve ‘yung standing namin last season...All good naman like maraming nag-improve like as a person then ‘yung skills namin sa basketball, na-enhance. Walang regrets and then continue lang sa process and thankful sa FEU community na nag-support sa 3x3 (Our standing improved from last season... It was all good like a lot of things improved like as a person and our skills in basketball were enhanced. No regrets and then we will only continue the process and we are thankful for the FEU community who supported us in 3x3),” he said.

The Tamaraws took a 2-4 win-loss card at sixth, and will face the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles who are still looking for their first win on the final day of the tournament today, May 5, at the same venue.

(Photo courtesy of The UAAP)