Bautista’s crucial 3-pointers steer Tamaraws past Blue Eagles

FEU’s Jorick Bautista (right) celebrates with teammate Janrey Pasaol.

UAAP Media Bureau

Games on Saturday

(SM Mall of Asia Arena)

7:30 a.m. – UE vs DLSU (16U)

9:30 a.m. – UST vs AdU (16U)

11:30 a.m. – AdU vs UE (Women)

1:30 p.m. – AdU vs UE (Men)

4:30 p.m. – DLSU vs UST (Men)

7 p.m. – DLSU vs UST (Women)

MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University dealt Ateneo its fourth straight loss, 75-68, to start the second round of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on a high note Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Jorrick Bautista salvaged the Tamaraws with back-to-back triples in the final minute, ensuring no repeat of history after faltering in an 86-83 overtime defeat to the same team in the first round.

It’s the second straight win for FEU to climb to 3-5 for a fighting chance to the Final Four as the Blue Eagles’ free fall continued to 4-4 at fifth place after an unbeaten start. Adamson, at 3-4, sits between the two squads, in the race to the top.

“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,” said coach Sean Chambers.

“These last two games, they have been like what I’ve envisioned—being the best two guards in the league.”

Bautista fired eight of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, none bigger than the dagger triple in the last 27 seconds to give Tamaraws a 73-68 cushion.

Kirby Mongcopa chalked up 16 points and nine rebounds, Mo Konateh had 15 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks, while Janrey Pasaol added the same output with 13 assists, five rebounds and two steals to quarterback the Tamaraws’ onslaught.

FEU, on the heels of a 95-76 domination of the winless UE to end the first round in style, picked up from where it left off and went toe-to-toe with the Blue Eagles all duel long.

No team managed to build a double-digit lead until FEU’s late-game avalanche, turning a 63-67 deficit capped by Bautista’s triple in the 1:19 mark for a sudden 70-67 lead.

Dom Escobar split his charities the next possession, rolling the red carpet for Bautista’s another long bomb off Pasaol’s play as Konateh iced the deal with two freebies for the final count.

Escobar and Waki Espina led Ateneo with 15 and 12 points, respectively, but to no avail.

Ace floor general Bahay bled for just three points in his return from a shoulder injury he suffered in their 98-89 triple overtime loss to University of Santo Tomas at the Blue Eagle Gym.

Nigerian anchor Divine Adili still sat out owing to back injury, adding to the piling woes of the Blue Eagles now outside the top four after a torrid start in the first round atop of the standings.

In women’s basketball, vengeful UST (7-0) completed a first-round wipeout with a 75-61 win over University of the Philippines (2-5).

Brigette Santos fired 26 points to spearhead the Growling Tigresses’ first sweep since 2011, shoring up their redemption tour after losing to the throne to the National University Bulldogs in Season 87.

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