By Andrei M. Barrantes

In a head-to-head match between the two remaining undefeated teams of the 17th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Tournament today, May 30, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws conceded to the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 84-95, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

The green-and-gold squad brought the energy early in the first quarter behind 10 points from JD Daa. Following his scoring was Morayta gunner Jorick Bautista, who chipped in four markers to claim the quarter, 18-16.

After a strong start, UP proceeded to overpower the Morayta squad off a strong paint presence from player-of-the-game Sean Alter, who drew six total fouls in the game.

FEU faltered and ended the first half down 15, 44-29.

Green-and-gold starting center Mo Konateh exploded in the fourth quarter with 10 crucial points despite going scoreless in the first three frames.

Despite claiming momentum time and time again and cutting the lead to as low as nine, UP matched every basket FEU chipped in and maintained a double-digit lead until the buzzer, 95-84. 

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, Bautista acknowledged the tenure and age of the Fighting Maroons as the distinction against their young FEU squad.

“Siguro mas experienced sila sa amin. Mas marami silang pinagdaanan na mga dikit na laban (I think they are just more experienced than we are. They endured more close battles),” he said.

Daa finished with 22 points and two triples, while Janrey Pasaol played lead distributor with 15 points and six assists.

Bautista and Konateh rounded off the Tamaraws in double digits, scoring 12 and 10 respectively.

FEU gains a blemish on their record, falling to 2-1 on the win-loss column and leaving UP as the lone undefeated team in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) bracket. 

The Sean Chambers-led squad will try to avoid tying their wins and losses against Ateneo de Manila University tomorrow, May 31, at the same venue.

(Photo by Ken Harold Hadi/FEU Advocate)