FEU-Diliman rallies to beat Adamson, nears UAAP juniors basketball title

MANILA, Philippines – Far Eastern University-Diliman rallied from 11 points down to beat Adamson, 85-74, and move on to annex the UAAP Season 85 junior basketball crown Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Center.

This is the first time the Baby Tamaraws, who are seeking their first title since UAAP Season 79, have beaten the Baby Falcons in three meetings this year.

Trailing by 11 points in the first half, the Baby Tamaraws held the Baby Falcons to just nine field goals in the final two periods to claim the series opener.

VJ Pre’s lay-up off the assist of John Rey Pasaol gave FEU-Diliman a 58-57 lead with 1:21 left in the third period.

The Baby Tamaraws kept rolling with Kirby Mongcopa’s triple giving the Baby Tamaraws a 69-59 lead with 6:29 left and never looked back.

“We didn’t play like we did at the beginning of the playoffs. That’s what I remembered at halftime, that we have to play like we did in the playoffs,” FEU-Diliman coach Allan Albano said in Filipino.

“It’s good that they responded in the second half. But I’m still not satisfied with the win. They didn’t play like they did in the championship game. They lacked intensity.

Mongcopa had a 20-point, 20-point outing along with eight assists for the Baby Tamaraws, who are bracing for a fightback from Adamson in Game 2 of Friday’s set.

“We are not satisfied with this win. We have to find a way to end this and win the title in the next game,” said Mongcopa.

Luke Felipe had 14 points, five boards and two steals while Pasaol and Jedric Daa each had 13 points. Dwyne Miranda had 10 points, eight boards, and two assists for FEU-Diliman. Pre grabbed 10 rebounds

Peter Rosillo led the Baby Falcons with 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Carlo Bonzalida, who was off duty in the second half, had 18 points and 13 rebounds.

“Hats off to FEU, they played well in the second half. We just played well in the first half. I told them at halftime, nobody wins the game in the first half. I don’t know what happened after we came out of the dugout ,” said Baby Falcons head coach Mike Fermin, who is looking to end Adamson’s 30-year title drought.

“Hopefully with Game Two, we can turn things around.”

Score:

FEU-D (85) — Mongcopa 20, Felipe 14, Pasaol 13, Daa 13, Miranda 10, Pre 8, Cabonilas 7, Salangsang 0, Bautista 0, Pascual

AdU (74) — Rosillo 19, Bonzalida 18, Kings 15, Edding 9, Medina 6, Abayon 3, Garcia 2, Mepaña 2, Sajili 0.

Quarter scores: 25-23, 39-50, 60-59, 85-74.

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