MANILA — Far Eastern University proved its mettle in crunch time, rallying from behind to stun Ateneo de Manila University, 75-68, and snap a two-game skid in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Down by four with barely two minutes left, the Tamaraws unleashed a 12-1 closing run capped by two clutch three-pointers from guard Jorick Bautista, who finished with 20 points and emerged as the game’s hero in a seesaw battle marked by 17 lead changes and seven deadlocks.
“Credit lang sa mga teammates ko kasi kung hindi dahil sa kanila, hindi mangyayari ‘yung mga sitwasyon na nakukuha ko. It was a team effort, it’s not me lang. Prepared talaga kami, pinagtrabahuhan talaga namin ito sa training pa lang,” said Bautista, whose back-to-back triples in the final 90 seconds buried Ateneo’s late hopes.
The Tamaraws, now holding a 3-5 record, also leaned on Janrey Pasaol’s second consecutive double-double of 15 points and 13 assists, while rookie Kirby Mongcopa impressed with 16 markers. Gambian slotman Mo Konateh added 15 points, 17 rebounds, and three blocks.
For Ateneo, Dominic Escobar carried the fight with 15 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and four steals, while Waki Espina added 12 points. Despite leading multiple times, the Blue Eagles faltered in the clutch to fall to 4-4.
In another game, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons fended off a fourth-quarter surge by the National University Bulldogs, 78-74, to strengthen their Final Four bid.
Silay City native Harold Alarcon starred for UP with a season-high 24 points, while Rey Remogat and Reyland Torres combined for 21 markers as the Maroons improved to 5-3./PN
