UAAP: FEU scores second win after escaping Adamson in OT

FEU Tamaraws’ Jorick Bautista celebrate a point against Adamson Falcons in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Far Eastern University notched a second win in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament by downing Adamson University, 76-72, in overtime on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Jorick Bautista was clutch once again as he led the Tamaraws with 21 points while Mo Konateh continues to be a vital piece for FEU as he had another double-double with 13 points and 26 rebounds apart from his four blocks.

“What I thought about this morning is we’re really, like, four and a half months into this journey with me as the head coach. And we’re starting to see the light on some of our offense and being in some of our schemes. And I just feel that these guys are just getting there, and they’re getting there, and they’re getting there,” coach Sean Chambers said after getting his second win in the league.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball – Inquirer Sports

“And I keep saying it’s just going to take every now and then one of our older kuyas, like [Jorick], to step up and hit a big shot to help us get over the hill for the young guys … They bought into what our game plan was. I’m just so proud of them,” Chambers added.

After trailing early in the game, FEU managed to pull level with the Adamson in the second half and opened the fourth quarter with a 50-42 lead on Rojan Montemayor’s back-to-back triples.

WATCH: FEU coach Sean Chambers after starting the second round on a high note. #UAAPSeason87 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/o6EBz3JfCV

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But the Soaring Falcons, showing no rust from the week-long break, refused to crumble as FEU threatened to pull away.

John Calisay hit a corner triple to give some life to Adamson before a putback from Ced Manzano, who finished with 10 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out, tied the game at 52-all. Calisay then sank two consecutive layups to give the lead to the Falcons with 2:02 left in regulation.

READ: UAAP: FEU Tamaraws feel they pose problem for foes

Matthew Montebon, who top-scored for FEU with 16 points on top of six assists, drained both his charities for a 58-55 breather. Alforque missed crucial freethrows for Adamson but Konateh made up for it by tipping the ball to Bautista who, with nerves of steel, nailed the triple that sent the game to overtime.

“The wins and losses, I wanted so much more for the players than myself because I think they deserve it, they’re earning it, and they’re getting there. So I cannot be more proud. And, you know, Mo with 26 rebounds, that’s pretty amazing for a rookie,” Chambers said.

“And Mo and [Jorick] hitting big shots for us down the stretch, I’m just so happy for the guys. They’re buying into what we’re trying to do. We practice hard all week, and we’re getting there but it’s taking leadership like [Johrick],” he added.

Alforque’s deep layup gave the lead to FEU for good in overtime, 61-60, followed up by Bautista’s freebies, before Montebon finally got his rhythm back and scored three consecutive triples for a  74-72 lead with 4.5 seconds left.

FEU Tamaraws’ Veejay Pre and Mo Konateh during a game against Adamson Falcons in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Bautista, who had nine points in the overtime alone, sealed the result with his free throws.

“For me, [winning is] a good feeling. We’ve been through this before, which is [why] already know what we’re going to do. We just stuck to it,” Bautista said after willing the Tamaraws again with his crucial baskets.

The Soaring Falcons failed to capitalize on their strong start with a 14-6 outing as they got outscored by the Tamaraws t as soon as the second frame, 23-11.

Anthony Fransman came up with 11 points and five rebounds for Adamson while Calisay added 10 points for Adamson who dropped to a 3-5 card.

FEU tries to continue getting back on its first round tormentors starting with National University next while the Falcons face a tall order in defending champion La Salle, which is battling University of the East at press time.