By MARK REY MONTEJO
Jorick Bautista caught fire from beyond the arc and lifted Far Eastern University over Ateneo, 75-68, to secure their first back-to-back victories in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, Oct. 22.
Tied at 67 after baskets from Janrey Pasaol and Luke Felipe inside the two-minute mark of the payoff period, Bautista rose to the occasion as he capped their run with two booming triples to pull away and give the Tamaraws a 73-68 lead with 28.7 seconds left.
The Blue Eagles had their chances to level or even steal the game in the following possessions but failed to convert and absorbed their fourth straight loss against four wins.
The Sean Chambers-mentored crew, which improved to 3-5, also exacted its revenge on Ateneo after succumbing in their first matchup, 86-83, in the opener last Sept. 20, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
“We had a meeting with Jorick and Janrey and talked about the expectations that I know are high and can sometimes be unfair,” said FEU head coach Sean Chambers.
“But they’re so talented and therefore needed to lead by example. These last two games, they have been like what I’ve envisioned—being the best two guards in the league,” he added.
The Davao City native Bautista topped FEU’s scoring column with 20 points with two rebounds and one steal, while Kirby Mongcopa registered 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists, one steal, and three blocks.
“Sobrang saya, talaga team effort ‘to, sa training palang pinaghahandaan na namin ‘tong Ateneo,” said Baustista. “Dahil din sa mga teammates ko kaya nakuha namin ‘tong panalo.”
Janrey Pasaol and Mo Konateh impressed as well on both ends as the former chalked up 15 points, five rebounds, 13 assists, and two steals, while the former also scored 15 which also went with 17 rebounds, two assists, one steal and three blocks.
Dominic Escobar starred for Ateneo with 15 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and four steals, while Waki Espina added 12.
Newest Gilas Pilipinas member Kymani Ladi struggled offensively with a quiet four-point output as well as Jared Bahay, who played limited minutes and finished with three points.
The scores:
FEU (75) – Bautista 20, Mongcopa 16, Pasaol 15, Konateh 15, Ona 4, Salangsang 3, Felipe 2, Owens 0, Montemayor 0, Macapagal 0, Jones 0.
Ateneo (68) – Escobar 15, Espina 12, Tuano 9, Lazo 8, Espinosa 6, Fjellvang 5, Ladi 4, Lazaro 4, Bahay 3, Bongo 2, Ong 0.
Quarterscores: 17-20, 37-37, 55-54, 75-68.
