By MARK REY MONTEJO
Far Eastern University repelled University of the East’s spirited challenge, 84-77, and kept its Final Four bid alive in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, Nov. 22.
After almost squandering a 41-25 halftime lead, Kirby Mongcopa and Mo Konateh rose to the occasion, sparking the Tamaraws’ counterattack in the fourth to finally take the fight out of the Warriors.
Janrey Pasaol also starred in that assault as he helped FEU build another sizable 71-58 lead.
While FEU stayed in semis hunt with a 6-7 record, UE suffered another humiliation after finishing the season without a win as it dropped all its 14 games.
This marked the second time that UE failed to produce a win – the first was three years back.
For the school that once held the precious tag of having the most number of titles at 18, this season is another embarrassment. A forgettable and a huge disappointment.
Not only that, UE produced some of the legends in the sport – notably Robert “The Big J” Jaworski, Allan Caidic, James Yap and Jerry Codinera.
But for FEU to forge a playoff for the fourth semis berth, it should beat UST (7-5) on Wednesday and hope that La Salle (6-6), Adamson (6-7) and Ateneo (5-7) drop their remaining games.
The Sean Chambers-mentored crew reaffirmed its mastery over UE which it beat in the first round last Oct. 19.
Konateh impressed with 15 points and eight rebounds, while rookie Mongcopa dazzled with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds which went with six assists, one block, and one steal.
Pasaol, for his part, posted 12 points, six assists, and four steals, while Jorick Baustista, who carried the cudgels in the first three frames, topscored with 17 points with three rebounds, six assists, and one steal.
The scores:
FEU 84 – Bautista 17, Konateh 15, Mongcopa 14, Pasaol 14, Owens 10, Felipe 7, Daa 5, Jones 2, Ona 2, Montemayor 0, Bagunu 0, Macapagal 0.
UE 77 – Momowei 19, Lingolingo 14, Caoile 10, Mulingtapang 10, Cruz Dumont 8, Despi 6, Robles 5, Datumalim 3, Malaga 2, Rosete 0, Tanedo 0, Lagat 0, Jimenez 0.
Quarters: 22-15, 42-32, 61-51, 84-77.
