Far Eastern University’s Kirby Mongcopa against Adamson University in UAAP Season 88. Photo from UAAP Media.
MANILA (UPDATED) — Kirby Mongcopa and Janrey Pasaol delivered the goods as Far Eastern University halted the four-game win streak of Adamson University through a 73-70 overtime victory in UAAP Season 88 men's basketball on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Mongcopa had an 11-point, 17-rebound outing while Pasaol notched 12 markers, nine boards, and eight assists as the Tamaraws listed their fourth win in 10 games to stay alive in the Final 4 hunt.
"We played great basketball for three quarters, but we still showed immaturity in finishing the game in the right way," said FEU head coach Sean Chambers. "Fortunately, we still found a way to win."
The Tamaraws survived a Soaring Falcons side that used another second-half surge to crawl back from down 13, with Mongcopa delivering on the defensive end in crunch time.
After Pasaol sank two free throws to give FEU a 72-70 lead with 44 seconds left in the extra period, Mongcopa blocked a three-pointer by Mathew Montebon that could have given Adamson the lead.
He was sent to the line by Cedrick Manzano and split his charities to peg the final score. Adamson still had its chances, but Ray Allen Torres bricked his own attempt from long range.
Nonetheless, it was not until the final buzzer that the Morayta-based squad completed the win.
Montebon, much like his heroics in their 97-96 overtime win vs. University of Santo Tomas last Wednesday, threw up another Hail Mary in hopes of extending to a second OT, but his shot missed the bottom of the net.
Adamson absorbed its fifth loss in 10 games despite Ray Allen Torres scorching once more with a game-high 24 points on 4-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc.
Ced Manzano was also impressive with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Montebon had seven.
It was Manzano who sent the game to overtime, converting a layup off a pick-and-roll with Montebon to knot the count at 64 with 8.7 seconds left.
The Tamaraws look to sustain their momentum when they face UST next Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, while Adamson will try to bounce back on Saturday against National University at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Scores:
FEU 73 – Bautista 12, Mongcopa 11, Montemayor 11, Pasaol 10, Konateh 7, Felipe 6, Ona 6, Daa 4, Owens 3, Nakai 3, Jones 0, Macapagal 0, Bagunu 0.
Adamson 70 – Torres 24, Manzano 19, Medina 8, Erolon 8, Montebon 7, Perez 2, Ojarikre 2, A. Ronzone 0, Anabo 0, Barcelona 0, Tumaneng 0, C. Ronzone 0, Demisana 0, Fransman 0, Jaymalin 0.
Quarterscores: 13-11, 31-24, 49-42, 64-64, 73-70.