FAR Eastern University kept the window wide open in this topsy-turvy UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament, gutting out a tough 73-70 overtime thriller against Adamson Sunday at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Under siege from a furious Soaring Falcons rally behind Ray Allen Torres and Cedrick Manzano, the Tamaraws kept their composure and made three of their last six freebies, but more importantly played tough defense to hack out the well-earned W.
Still, Kirby Mongcopa's missed freebies left the door open for an Adamson comeback, but Mathew Montebon failed to answer the call this time, as he front-rimmed his desperation three at the buzzer.
FEU repeats over Adamson
That, however, probably was the only dent to Mongcopa's stellar game, by fronting the charge with 11 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block - that rejection coming in timely, as he swatted Montebon's three-point attempt in the final minute before his split from the line with 20 seconds left extended the FEU lead to three.
Janrey Pasaol came close to a triple-double with 10 points, nine boards, and eight assists, Jorick Bautista top-scored with 12 points, and Rojan Montemayor added 11 in the victory.
"We played great basketball for three quarters, but in the fourth, we showed immaturity that we're in a point of our season that we shouldn't be making those," said coach Sean Chambers.
The Tamaraws actually had a shot to win in regulation, but Pasaol's kickoff pass to a Neil Owens three failed to find its mark, as time expired.
Still, it's a crucial win for the Morayta dribblers who improved to 4-6, very much in the hunt for a playoff berth, after repeating their 64-58 conquest of their San Marcelino counterparts last Oct. 5.
Adamson, on the other hand, could not repeat its miraculous run from last game and faltered in the extra five minutes despite the heavy lifting of Torres and Manzano, with the duo accounting for 24 of their 28 points in the fourth and overtime periods.
Torres nabbed 24 points on 4-of-10 shooting from distance, alongside four rebounds and two assists, while Manzano had a double-double with his 19 points, 12 boards, and four steals.
The Soaring Falcons, however, slipped to an even 5-5 record to drop back out of the playoff picture.
The Scores:
FEU 73 - Bautista 12, Mongcopa 11, Montemayor 11, Pasaol 10, Konateh 7, Ona 6, Felipe 6, Daa 4, Owens 3, Nakai 3, Jones 0, Macapagal 0, Bagunu 0.
ADAMSON 70 - Torres 24, Manzano 19, Erolon 8, Medina 8, Montebon 7, Ojarikre 2, Perez 0, Anabo 0, Barcelona 0, A. Ronzone 0, Tumaneng 0, C. Ronzone 0, Demisana 0, Jaymalin 0, Fransman 0.
Quarters: 13-11, 31-24, 49-42, 64-64, 73-70.
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