Far Eastern University grabbed a share of the early lead in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament after defeating the University of the Philippines, 90-79, on Sunday at Philsports Arena on Sunday.
The Tamaraws improved to a 3-1 card, tying Ateneo atop the standings. The win also marked FEU’s first against UP since 2019.
‘We knew we’d see some tremendous improvements like these because guy are basically trusting one another better now,’ said coach Sean Chambers.
‘We talk about this in practice a lot; we have full command of what we want to do. We can only continue to be better at it.’
FEU held a slim two-point lead at the half, 43-41, before going on a 16-2 run to open the third quarter, capped by a Kirby Mongcopa basket to put the Tams up, 59-43, with 5:52 left in the period.
The Tamaraws entered the payoff period with a 75-55 advantage.
UP, which dropped to 2-2, tried to mount a comeback in the fourth but FEU had all the right answers to keep the Maroons at bay.
Kirby Mongcopa had 24 points and nine rebounds for the Tams. Jorick Bautista and Janrey Pasaol turned in 16 and 15 points, respectively, while Mo Konateh registered a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Veejay Pre top-scored for the Maroons with 16 points against his former school. Francis Nnoruka scored 12 while Rey Remogat scattered 12 points.