FEU Tamaraws’ Jorick Bautista celebrates during a UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball game against NU Bulldogs. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Far Eastern University strung up a first-ever winning streak in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament after dealing slumping National University a 65-58 beating on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Mo Konateh came up big once again with another double-double performance of 22 points and 13 rebounds while Tamaraw hero Jorick Bautista had a 50 percent shooting to 17 points as FEU improved to a 3-6 card.
“I don’t want to sound like a broken record. But like I said a couple weeks back, this second round of the season is going to be a lot different for us. We’re getting comfortable, we’re getting acclimated. We’re starting to understand our desires, our goals, and our focus on our game plan,” coach Sean Chambers said.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball
“We’re still a young team, but we’re a very talented team … And like we said, bawi lang. We’re coming after everybody moving forward,” Chambers added.
Veejay Pre finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists as Royce Alforque, who nailed back-to-back baskets in the dying minutes, added nine points and seven rebounds as well.
The Tamaraws only had a five-point lead at halftime thanks to Konateh, who already had 12 points, and Bautista as FEU came back to the dugout with the advantage virtually on every aspect of the game.
FEU Tamaraws’ Royce Alforque with his teammates during a UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball game against NU Bulldogs. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
But NU came up with 24 points to take the lead before the final frame to enjoy a 48-44 lead.
With neither team giving their opponent a chance to pull away, Alforque drained two close shots around a minute left to put FEU in a winning position, 61-56, before Bautista hammered in the nails in the coffin with a big triple.
READ: UAAP: Sean Chambers preaches warrior mentality to young Tamaraws
“My heart goes out to coach Jeff [Napa], because even though they’re missing their import, the expectation doesn’t change for none of us. So I know it’s tough for him and it’s tough to go through this season without their resident import,” Chambers said.
“But his team battled, man. They’re a dangerous team. So my heart goes out to them and much respect to NU and everything they’re going through this season,” he added.
PJ Palacielo managed to score on an up-and-under move before Jolo Manansala once again a last-ditch trey before fouling Pre, who split his charities.
WATCH: The FEU Tamaraws talk about avenging their first round loss to the NU Bulldogs. #UAAPSeason87 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/68415wlsCS
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) October 16, 2024
Manansala paced NU with 11 points, Palacielo contributed 10 points as Jake Figueroa tallied nine points and 13 rebounds but all those were not enough to stop NU from absorbing a second consecutive win to a 2-7 record.
FEU will look to keep its winning momentum going after a long break before battling University of Santo Tomas on Oct. 27 while the Bulldogs try to finally get some luck going against University of the East on Oct. 26, both in the Pasay City venue.
“[UST is] next on our list. We’re coming out to everybody, we wanna make it a battle, we wanna make it a war … with that said, we’ll be prepared for them and I have to say I’m very impressed with their point guard, I’m very impressed with their style of play. So we’re gonna be a little bit better prepared for them the second time around,” Chambers said.