By Fibby Ann Mercado
Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws came up short in completing a second-half comeback in the final frame against Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Blue Eagles, 72-75, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 men’s basketball tournament earlier today, October 24, at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
Opening the first quarter, the Morayta squad traded baskets with the Loyola squad early, keeping the game tied 6-6.
However, the Blue Eagles responded with a three-pointer to widen the gap before Cabs Cabonilas scored to keep the Tamaraws within striking distance, 8-12.
Trailing behind the blue-and-white squad, Kirby Mongcopa answered with a two-pointer for the green-and-gold squad, 10-15.
Attempting to trim the deficit, Mo Konateh and Jorick Bautista each converted two free throws in the closing minutes of the opening quarter, 14-21.
The Tamaraws continued to struggle as the Blue Eagles extended their lead in the second quarter, with Cabonilas and Konateh chipping in to keep FEU within reach, 24-32.
Bautista, Marc Burgos, and Konateh persisted to deliver points for FEU, but the Morayta squad scrambled to contain the Loyola squad’s 16-point lead, 30-46.
Coming out of the break, a Mongcopa-led scoring surge along with Konateh and Adam Nakai’s conversion efforts kept the gap within reach, 40-50.
Despite the Blue Eagles’ attempts to pull away, Bautista converted consecutive free throws late in the quarter to bring FEU within eight, 50-58, heading into the final frame.
The Tamaraws mounted a late comeback in the fourth quarter, trimming a double-digit deficit into a six-point game behind a scoring surge from Pasaol and Bautista, 62-68.
Cabonilas and Jedric Daa also chipped in as FEU steadily cut down Ateneo’s lead before Bautista’s late basket made it a 72-73 contest.
With momentum swinging in their favor, the green-and-gold squad came within striking distance of forcing overtime; however, Kieffer Alas’ free throws extended the Blue Eagles lead before Pasaol’s final attempt to force overtime fell short, 72-75.
In an interview with FEU Advocate, head coach Sean Chambers acknowledged Ateneo’s home-court advantage while taking responsibility for the team’s performance.
“Maybe because it felt more like a home game, actually, for Ateneo. It really did. It felt like a home game on our own court. But at the end of the day, we're just going to be better. And ultimately, it falls on me to make sure that we're better," he said.
Despite the defeat, Chambers expressed pride in the Tamaraws’ resilience, highlighting how they continued to fight back throughout the match despite trailing by as many as 16 points.
“But I was really proud. Like, we didn’t quit. We didn’t lay down... You know, we’re down by 16. I think that was the lead. We kept fighting, trying to find a way,” he added.
Bautista led the Tamaraws’ scoring effort with 18 points, followed by Konateh with 12 markers, while Mongcopa and Cabonilas added 11 points apiece.
With their win-loss record now at 4-4, the FEU Tamaraws look to bounce back against Adamson University on Wednesday, October 28, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
(Photo by Neil Tamayo/FEU Advocate)