MANILA — Far Eastern University snapped a seven-year, 10-game losing streak against University of the Philippines with a convincing 90-79 victory to seize a share of the lead in the UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Kirby Mongcopa powered the Tamaraws with a game-high 24 points, nine rebounds and three assists as FEU notched its third consecutive victory and improved to 3-1, tying the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles atop the standings.
The 3-1 start is FEU’s best since Season 78, when the Tamaraws also opened their campaign with the same record.
“We’re just so grateful to be at this moment… Going to year three, we knew there were a season of tremendous improvement and guys were just basically trusting one another, playing off one another, and they’re one with the system and playing on a high level,” said FEU head coach Sean Chambers.
Adding intrigue to the victory was FEU’s matchup against former Tamaraw Veejay Pre, who won the Season 87 Rookie of the Year award with FEU in 2024 before transferring to UP.
Mongcopa, who has known Pre since their high school days at FEU-Diliman, downplayed the storyline surrounding their reunion as opponents.
“Masaya naman ako kapag nakikita ko si Veejay maglaro at lumalaban din. Naglaro kami ng basketball, masaya ako,” Mongcopa said.
FEU set the tone early with a 26-13 advantage after the opening quarter, but UP responded in the second period and pulled within 43-41 at halftime.
The Tamaraws then broke the game open in the third quarter, outscoring the Fighting Maroons, 32-14, to take a commanding 75-55 lead into the final period.
Jorick Bautista added 16 points, four rebounds and three assists for FEU, while Janrey Pasaol finished with 15 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals.
Rookie Cabs Cabonillas contributed 11 points, five rebounds and two steals, while Mo Konateh posted a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds along with four assists, two steals and a block.
The Fighting Maroons, meanwhile, absorbed their second consecutive defeat and dropped to 2-2.
Pre led UP with 16 points, while Francis Nnoruka tallied 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks./PN
