Metro Manila, Philippines – The Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws ended its dry spell after dispatching the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 73-66, in Round 2 of the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Rookies Cabs Cabonilas and Kirby Mongcopa combined for 24 points to lead the Tamaraws in their bounce-back win from three straight losses.
The Morayta-based squad improved to a shared 5-4 slate with De La Salle University and Ateneo De Manila University at the third spot after the win. Meanwhile, the Soaring Falcons dropped to a 4-5 record with University of Santo Tomas.
FEU managed to pull away after a low-scoring first half as Mo Konateh and rookie Elias Gish sank back-to-back buckets to gain an 11-point advantage before halftime, 33-22.
The Tamaraws took advantage of Adamson’s offensive woes and managed to widen the gap by 15 after a Jedric Daa triple, 58-43.
Adamson came alive midway through the last frame and cut the lead to five but a crucial triple at the 1:51 mark by reigning Most Valuable Player Janrey Pasaol sparked another scoring barrage for FEU that buried their comeback hopes.
Kenji Cañete paced the loss with 14 points, while Matt Erolon added 19 markers.
The Tamaraws will look to build momentum when they go against the cellar-dwelling University of the East Red Warriors on Nov. 4 at the same venue.
Meanwhile, Adamson will face the top-seeded University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons at the same date and venue.
NewsWatch Plus Philippines intern Jade Bagas contributed to this report.
The scores:
FEU (73) — Mongcopa 13, Cabonilas 11, Burgos 10, Pasaol 10, Bautista 8, Konateh 8, Daa 5, Felipe 3, Nakai 3, Gish 2
Adamson (66) — Cañete 14, Erolon 13, Jonah 9, Edding 8, Anabo 7, Medina 7, Montebon 4, Torres 2, Tumaneng 2, Demisina 0, Mangaron 0, Perez 0
Quarterscores: 11-11, 33-22, 58-44, 73-66
