By Jun Ray Navarres
Far Eastern University kept their Final Four aspirations flickering after a grueling 73-70 overtime victory against the streaking Adamson University in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena,
The win improves FEU’s standing to 4-6 to keep them within striking distance of the Final Four race while Adamson slips to 5-5 after absorbing the tight loss.
But more importantly, the win snapped a two-game skid for the Tamaraws and put an end to the Soaring Falcons’ impressive four-game winning streak.
But it wasn’t an easy ride for the FEU.
With the Tamaraws of Sampaloc clinging to a precarious 72-70 lead in the final minute of overtime, first-year forward Kirby Mongcopa delivered a crucial block on a potential go-ahead three-pointer by Adamson’s Mathew Montebon.
After splitting his free throws to make it a three-point game, he secured another defensive rebound on Adamson’s final, desperate attempt to force a second overtime.
Mongcopa emerged as the hero for FEU, finishing with a double-double of 11 points and a massive 17 rebounds, along with four assists, but his defensive efforts in the extra period stole the limelight.
Janrey Pasaol provided crucial support for the Tamaraws, notching 10 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, including the two free throws late in overtime that gave FEU the lead for good.
“Sabi nga ni coach Sean sa locker room kanina, hindi na dapat aabot ng overtime kung nag-stay consistent lang kami at disiplinado pa. May game ulit kami next week, yung pagkukulang namin ngayon doon namin ie-execute,” said Pasaol.
FEU looked to be in control, holding a 49-42 lead after the third quarter and a 64-59 advantage late in the fourth.
However, the Soaring Falcons mounted a ferocious comeback to force the extra period. Ray Allen Torres, who led all scorers with a game-high 24 points (including four triples), drilled a three-pointer to ignite the run.
Cedrick Manzano, who finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds, ultimately sent the game to overtime, sinking a layup with 8.7 ticks left in regulation to knot the score at 64-all.
However, Adamson could not translate their late game heroics into victory in the succeeding period.
“I’m sorry we’re late because I kind of scolded the group because we played great basketball for three quarters and in the fourth we showed a little bit of immaturity,” said FEU head coach Sean Chambers.
The Tamaraws will be facing host UST next Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum while Adamson hopes to bounce back on Saturday against the top dogs of National University at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Featured image courtesy of UAAP Media Bureau
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