FEU Keeps Final Four Hopes Alive with 84–83 Win Over La Salle
FEU Tamaraws refused to let its Final Four hopes die, escaping with a thrilling 84–83 upset over De La Salle Green Archers on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Kirby Mongcopa delivered the moment of the game, sinking the go-ahead layup with 26.2 seconds left off a perfect setup from Janrey Pasaol. Mongcopa then came up big on defense, blocking Jacob Cortez’s potential game-winner with 15 seconds remaining.
The Tamaraws nearly let the win slip away after turning the ball over in the final seconds, but JC Macalalag’s corner triple missed at the buzzer, allowing FEU to secure a win that kept their postseason bid alive.
Mongcopa capped another impressive outing with 10 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, a steal, and a block—a complete performance that fueled FEU’s rise to 5–7, just behind Adamson and Ateneo (both 5–6) and within striking distance of fourth-running La Salle (6–5).
Pasaol led FEU with 17 points and seven assists, while Mo Konateh added 14 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Jorick Bautista scored all 12 of his points in the second half, helping the Tamaraws recover after nearly blowing their earlier 46–32 lead. Jedric Daa chipped in 10 points and six boards.
The game mirrored their first-round meeting — another nail-biter that La Salle narrowly took, 74–72.
This time, the Green Archers had multiple chances to put the game away. Down 82–83, La Salle came up with three straight offensive rebounds, thanks to the relentless efforts of Mike Phillips, who finished with 14 points and 19 rebounds. But Cortez and EJ Gollena both missed crucial shots in the final minute before FEU finally secured possession.
La Salle struggled to capitalize on its second-half momentum, despite Earl Abadam’s 18 points, Macalalag’s 14 points, and Luis Pablo’s 11, which briefly pushed the Archers ahead late in the game. Cortez finished with 10 points, six assists, three rebounds, and three steals, but shot only 2-of-14, including the blocked layup that sealed their fate.
(Video from the YouTube Channel of One Sports)
Statistically, FEU edged La Salle with 47.9% shooting (DLSU at 45.2%), better free-throw accuracy (61.5% vs. 45.5%), a slight rebound edge (45–43), and a significant 46–38 advantage in points in the paint.
With the win, FEU remains in the Final Four hunt but cannot afford any more losses. The Tamaraws must sweep their remaining games against UE (Nov. 23) and UST (Nov. 26)—both at the Araneta Coliseum—to stay in contention.
La Salle, now at 6–5, looks to break out of its two-game skid when it faces Adamson University on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
FEU 84 – Pasaol 17, Konateh 14, Bautista 12, Mongcopa 10, Daa 10, Felipe 9, Montemayor 7, Owens 5, Ona 0, Jones 0.
DLSU 83 – Abadam 18, Macalalag 14, Phillips 14, Pablo 11, Cortez 10, Nwankwo 4, Gollena 4, Dungo 4, Quines 2, Melencio 2.
Quarter Scores: 16-19, 46-36, 67-64, 84-83
