Games on Wednesday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
7:30 a.m. – NUNS vs AdU (16U)
9:30 a.m. – Ateneo vs UPIS (16U)
12:30 p.m. – NU vs AdU (Women)
2 p.m. – NU vs AdU (Men)
4:30 p.m. – Ateneo vs UP (Men)
7 p.m. – Ateneo vs UP (Women)
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY (FEU) doused cold water on Adamson University’s last-ditch rally to escape with a breakthrough 64-58 win in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Janrey Pasaol drilled in the dagger trey in the final minute as the FEU Tamaraws averted a meltdown from an 11-point lead in the payoff period to enter the winner’s circle at 1-3 midway through the first round after a string of stinging one-possession defeats.
Mr. Pasaol, brother of PBA cager and University of the East legend Alvin, finished with 13 points including 11 in the second half laced by six rebounds, five assists and two steals in 25 minutes of play to take the Tamaraws home.
His finishing touches complemented the steady play of Gambian anchor Mo Konateh, who scooped up 18 points and 21 rebounds laced by three assists, a steal and two blocks, as well as Kirby Mongcopa with 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
“We’re grateful and blessed to be in this moment. It’s an example of our resilience as could’ve easily been down to ourselves after disappointing losses but we just worked harder,” said head coach Sean Chambers, in his second season as collegiate mentor after a decorated career as import in the PBA.
“In life when your backs are against the wall, you either give up or you work harder. Our team has learned and still learning as a young team. We had our moments against Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University and to finally get a win is a big confidence-builder for us.”
FEU was tagged as one of the darkhorses this season after a late run that nearly propelled the team to the Final Four in Season 87 but got plunged into a 0-3 hole instead after backbreaking defeats to Ateneo in overtime, 86-83, and La Salle, 74-72, with its one blowout loss coming against National University, 84-68.
But the Tamaraws had seen enough, leaving the Soaring Falcons off the dust in the third period from a 31-all deadlock at the turn to take command.
FEU then was on poise to run away at 56-45 early in the final frame off a Mongcopa jumper before Adamson staged a 13-5 uprising capped by Cedrick Manzano’s wide-open layoff from a pick-and-roll with Matthew Montebon to strike within 58-61 with still 1:49 to go.
Mr. Pasaol then came to the rescue, continuing his fine play as FEU’s new scoring leader after the departure of Rookie of the Year Veejay Pre to the University of the Philippines.
Mr. Montebon was the only twin-digit scorer wtih 14 points for the Soaring Falcons, who absorbed their second straight loss to tie Tamaraws at sixth place ahead of the winless UE at the cellar. Adamson’s lone win so far came at the expense of reigning champion UP following Ray Allen Torres’ game-winning triple, 62-59.
In women’s basketball, Cheska Apag (18) and Elaine Etang (12) led the way as Adamson (1-2) eluded FEU (1-2), 57-56. — John Bryan Ulanday
The Scores:
FEU 64 – Konateh 18, Mongcopa 15, Pasaol 13, Owens 9, Daa 5, Bautista 2, Felipe 2, Macapagal 0, Ona 0, Montemayor 0, Jones 0, Bagunu 0, Salangsang 0.
AdU 58 – Montebon 14, Erolon 9, Anabo 8, Perez 8, Ojarikre 5, Torres 3, Manzano 3, Medina 2, Fransman 2, A. Ronzone 2, Jaymalin 2, C. Ronzone 0, Cañete 0, Barcelona 0, Demisana 0, Tumaneng 0.
Quarterscores: 16-17, 31-31, 52-45, 64-58.