Jorick Bautista delivered in the clutch as Far Eastern University mounted a stellar late-game rally to extend Ateneo de Manila University’s woes, 75-68, in the opening of the second round of the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
Trailing 63-67, Luke Felipe and Janrey Pasaol hit back-to-back baskets to tie the game, before Bautista drilled a three-pointer to give FEU the lead, 70-67, with 1:22 remaining.
Although the Blue Eagles cut the deficit to two on a split by Dominic Escobar at the line, Bautista struck again from the left corner to push the Tamaraws ahead 73-68 with 28.7 seconds left.
Bautista reprised his role in one of FEU’s close wins against Ateneo last season, and this victory avenged the Tamaraws’ 83-86 overtime loss in the first round.
FEU notched its second straight win to improve to 3-5, remaining in seventh place but just one and a half games behind the top four.
“We had a meeting with Jorick and Janrey and talked about the expectations that I know are high and can sometimes be unfair, but they’re so talented and therefore needed to lead by example. These last two games, they have been like what I’ve envisioned—being the best two guards in the league,” said FEU head coach Sean Chambers.
Bautista finished with 20 points, none bigger than his final two three-pointers that decided a game featuring 17 lead changes and seven deadlocks.
“Credit lang sa mga teammates ko kasi kung hindi dahil sa kanila, hindi mangyayari ‘yung mga sitwasyon na nakukuha ko. It was a team effort, it’s not me lang. Prepared talaga kami, pinagtrabahuhan talaga namin ito sa training pa lang,” Bautista said.
(“Credit really goes to my teammates because if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have gotten those opportunities. It was a team effort—it’s not just me. We were really prepared and worked hard for this from the very start in training.”)
Pasaol recorded his second straight double-double with 15 points and 13 assists, along with five rebounds and two steals, while rookie Kirby Mongcopa continued to impress with 16 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, three assists, and a steal.
Gambian big man Mo Konateh also made a huge impact, posting 15 points, 17 rebounds, and three blocks.
Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles saw their losing streak stretch to four games, dropping to 4-4 and solo fifth.
Escobar led Ateneo with 15 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and four steals, while Waki Espina added 12 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Kymani Ladi, who torched FEU for 26 points in the first round, was held to just four points on four field goal attempts.
Jared Bahay returned after missing the previous game, playing limited minutes (12:50) and contributing three points and an assist, while Nigerian center Divine Adili did not play again.
Both teams return to action on Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion: Ateneo faces National University at 1:30 p.m., and FEU collides with University of the Philippines at 4:30 p.m.
The Scores:
FEU (75) – Bautista 20, Mongcopa 16, Pasaol 15, Konateh 15, Ona 4, Salangsang 3, Felipe 2, Owens 0, Montemayor 0, Macapagal 0, Jones 0.
Ateneo (68) – Escobar 15, Espina 12, Tuano 9, Lazo 8, Espinosa 6, Fjellvang 5, Ladi 4, Lazaro 4, Bahay 3, Bongo 2, Ong 0.
Quarterscores: 17-20, 37-37, 55-54, 75-68