MANILA — Far Eastern University Tamaraws strengthened their hold on the solo lead in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament with a resounding 93-70 demolition of Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Mo Konateh spearheaded the Tamaraws’ 23-point rout with a dominant double-double of 29 points and 11 rebounds as FEU secured its fourth victory in five games to tighten its grip on the top spot in the standings.
Kirby Mongcopa provided solid offensive support with 19 points, while Jorick Bautista contributed 14 as the Tamaraws turned an early deficit into a commanding victory over the Blue Eagles.
Ateneo appeared poised to challenge the league leaders after taking a 27-23 advantage in the opening quarter, but FEU quickly seized control with a decisive second-period turnaround.
The Tamaraws tightened their defense and unleashed a 23-12 scoring blitz in the second quarter to overturn the deficit and establish a 46-39 halftime lead.
FEU sustained its offensive assault after the break, overwhelming Ateneo, 25-15, in the third period to stretch its advantage to 71-54 entering the final quarter.
The Tamaraws continued their domination in the payoff period, building a lead that reached as many as 26 points before completing the emphatic victory.
Jared Bahay led Ateneo with 17 points, while Kieffer Alas contributed 16 and Shawn Tuano added 13 as the Blue Eagles absorbed their third defeat in six outings to fall to a 3-3 win-loss record.
The convincing triumph further underscored FEU’s strong start to the season, with Konateh emerging as a formidable force on both ends of the court.
Meanwhile, National University Bulldogs survived a thrilling overtime battle against University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 87-85, behind Reinhard Jumamoy’s dramatic banked three-pointer.
Trailing by one point after UST rookie Kirk Cañete missed two crucial free throws, Jumamoy delivered the decisive basket over the outstretched defense of Growling Tigers center Collins Akowe to propel the Bulldogs ahead for good.
Jumamoy finished with 19 points, including four three-pointers, while adding six rebounds and six assists as NU registered its second consecutive victory to improve to a 4-2 record.
PJ Palacielo backed him up with 16 points, while reserve Kenshin Padrones contributed 11. Mac Mac Alfanta and Paul Francisco chipped in 10 points apiece for the Bulldogs.
Landyn Jumawan paced UST with 22 points, followed by Amiel Acido with 21 and Mark Llemit with 20. Akowe added 11 points as the Growling Tigers slipped to a 2-3 record.
The contrasting victories kept FEU firmly atop the standings while allowing NU to sustain its climb in the tightly contested tournament./PN
