Far Eastern University outlasted Adamson, 73-70, in overtime, but not after blowing a big lead in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament Sunday.
Tamaraws took control late in the third quarter but squandered a 13-point lead that nearly cost them a crucial game’We played great basketball for three quarters, but in the fourth, we showed a little bit of immaturity,’ said FEU coach Sean Chambers, whose squad completed an elimination round sweep of Adamson.
‘For three quarters, I thought we were phenomenal, then in the fourth quarter, we were almost blank. Still, I’m happy with the win.’
Kirby Mongcopa made three out of four from the free throw line in the final 18 seconds of the game to win it for the Tamaraws. Mongcopa finished with 11 points and 17 rebounds, while Jorrick Bautista had a team-high 12 points.
FEU led 42-29 at the 4:34 mark of the third quarter and was ahead, 64-59, with only 2:31 remaining in regulation. The Falcons, who were coming off a stunning OT win over UST on Wednesday, were at it again with Ray Allen Torres and Cedrick Manzano sending the game into extra time. Manzano’s basket knotted the count with 10 ticks to go.
The back-and-forth battle continued in OT. Tied at 70 after Torres’ basket with 2:10 left, FEU regained the lead for good thanks to Mongcopa’s freebies. Adamson guard Matthew Montebon misfired on a 3-pointer as time expired.
Torres led all scorers with 24 points, while Manzano posted 19 points and 12 rebounds in losing efforts as the Falcons slid to fifth at 5-5.