By Leiniel A. Santos

Despite having an early run, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws crumbled down against the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons, 47-59, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 men's basketball tournament today, September 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. 

FEU were off to a good start as foreign student-athlete (FSA) Mo Konateh won the jump ball against AdU’s own FSA Mudiaga Ojarikre.

Both teams played rock-solid defense, but Adamson struggled more, scoring their first field goal with 2:44 time left in the first quarter.

With multiple ball possessions, the Morayta-based squad came up on top as they managed to get their groove early, 14-7.

During the second quarter, Tamaraw rookie Adam Nakai successfully contributed with a shot from downtown to extend their lead to 11.

However, the Soaring Falcons stormed back to cut the lead with three consecutive shots behind-the-arc.

Fortunately, guards Janrey Pasaol and Jorick Bautista stopped the bleeding to maintain their momentum at the end of the first half, 25-21.

In the third quarter, the San Marcelino-based squad lit up the scoreboard with Royce Mantua’s treys to steal the lead, 27-33.

FEU raised their intensity to at least bring down AdU’s lead to four, 35-39.

The Soaring Falcons continued to assume control at the start of the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run to extend their lead to 11.

Despite Adamson’s technical foul on Veejay Pre, the Tamaraws were unable to turn things around until the last minute.

In a post-game interview, Pre mentioned that they, especially the rookies, got nervous as this is their first UAAP match.

“Kalaban namin ‘yung sarili namin. Na-pressure kami, lalong-lalo na kaming mga rookie, kitang-kita naman sa game [kaya] next game mag-a-adjust kami (We are against ourselves. We were under pressure, especially us rookies, I can see it in the game so next game we will adjust),” he said.

He also mentioned they will not be relaxed in their next match to secure the victory.

“‘Yung pinaka-lesson na nakuha namin dito is ‘wag mag-relax and kahit rookie kami, ‘wag kami magpapatalo… ‘Yun, dadalhin namin ‘yun sa second game para manalo (The biggest lesson we got here is don't relax and even though we're rookie, we will let ourselves lose... That's it, we'll take that to the second game to win),” Pre added.

Bautista was the lone double-digit scorer of the Tamaraws with 14 points, while Pre contributed eight points.

The Chambers-led squad will try to stage a comeback in their next match against the National University Bulldogs on Saturday, September 14, at the same venue.

(Photo by Karch Rafael/FEU Advocate)