By Marcus Isaac D.G. Bandong

Despite keeping the game afloat in the first three quarters, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws struggled late against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, 80-92, in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s basketball tourney earlier tonight, October 15, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

In the early going, the green-and-gold squad kept the game tied, 9-9, courtesy of rookie Kirby Mongcopa's seven-point spurt.

However, the Tamaraws could not get a hold of the Growling Tigers' presence inside the paint, resulting in a seven-point deficit after UST's Koji Buenaflor's slam dunk and Mark Llemit's fastbreak offense, 9-16.

To keep the game afloat, Morayta-based rookie Neil Owens sunk two threes, while Janrey Pasaol followed up with a reverse lay to finish the quarter, 21-25.

Not even a minute into the second frame, foreign student-athlete Mo Konateh made his presence known on both ends after a block and a putback to give FEU a one-point lead, 26-25.

With a steadier flow on offense, the Tamaraws were able to snatch the lead after buckets made from Pasaol's and-one and Konateh's fastbreak lay, 39-38.

Despite the heightened play on both ends of the floor, the Morayta-based cagers were still in striking distance after España-based cager Forthsky Padrigao made a tough three to end the first half, 47-46.

Pasaol continued the green-and-gold squad's impressive offensive display, mounting a nine-point personal run to give the Tamaraws a six-point lead, 58-52.

Even after their amazing display on the perimeter, FEU could not fend off the Growling Tigers’ inside attacks, resulting in a one-point deficit, 62-63.

Despite Bautista's back-to-back triples to start the fourth quarter, the Morayta-based cagers were not able to contain UST's Kyle Paranada and Nic Cabañero's midrange buckets, resulting in a seven-point deficit, 73-80.

After a much-needed timeout, the Tamaraws were able to stay in touch after Konateh's tip-in and Pasaol’s and-one play, 78-80.

Despite cutting the lead to two, the Sean Chambers-led team were stunned by the Growling Tigers’ perimeter shots which resulted in a 0-14 slump in crunch time, ending the game down by a dozen, 80-92.

In the post-game conference, Coach Sean expressed his desire to win despite how the community views their tight losses.

"Right now, one of the things I won't take most offense in, but I can't tell them how many times out of the community, people go: 'Oh my god, you lost to University of the Philippines by three'... I don't want to hear that because I'm like, we want to win... The expectation is that we're supposed to get blown out. That's what everybody thinks in the community, and I know that” the lead tactician shared.

After collapsing late in the fourth, Pasaol pointed out the team's need to focus on defensive stops in future games, especially for a talented team like UST. 

"Siguro 'yung problema namin nung fourth is 'yung defense, kailangan kasi talaga namin mag-stops eh, alam naman nating sobrang talented ng UST, so 'di kaya 'yung score-to-score (I think our problem late in the fourth is defense, we really need to focus on stops, because we all know how talented UST is, we can't go score-to-score with them we need stops)," he shared.

Pasaol filled up the stat sheet with 22 points, five rebounds, and eight assists, while Konateh had his usual double-double of 19 markers and 11 boards.

After a tough loss, the Chambers-led squad now stands at a 1-5 win-loss record and will look to end the first round strong against University of the East this Sunday, October 19, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

(Photo courtesy of the UAAP Media Team)