FEU-D Baby Tamaraws clinch the UAAP juniors basketball championship. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Far Eastern University-Diliman won its first UAAP boys’ basketball tournament championship since Season 79 after sweeping Adamson with a 77-76 clincher in Game 2 of the Finals at San Juan Arena on Friday.
After scoring 13 points in the Baby Tamaraws’ Game 1 win over the Baby Falcons, 85-74, JR Pasaol saved his best for last, spearheading the squad with 21 points to go along with eight assists, four rebounds and four assists.
However, the Finals MVP plum went Kirby Mongcopa’s way after finishing with nine markers and 13 rebounds. He averaged 14.5 markers and 16.5 boards and 8.5 assists in two games for the Baby Tamaraws.
UAAP juniors basketball Finals MVP Kirby Mongcopa. –UAAP PHOTO
“What I wrote on our whiteboard earlier was ‘effort is the key.’ From the jump ball, I immediately saw the effort they put in because they want to win this series already,” coach Allan Albano said.
“I salute Adamson. They did not give up until the final buzzer. They did not just give this series up that easily.”
The Season 85 crown is FEU-D’s fourth overall title in the division while the Baby Falcons’ 30-year title-less drought will continue heading into next season.
Justine Garcia’s 20-point outburst was not enough to force a rubber match for Adamson. Carlo Bonzalida also flirted with a double-double to the tune of 15 points and nine rebounds in a losing effort.
Earl Medina and Peter Rosillo also scored 12 and 10 to their names, respectively, for Adamson.