After the exit of Veejay Pre, it looks like the Tamaraws are still a-ok as FEU racks up a second victory in the 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.
The FEU Tamaraws continue to roll in the Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup, beating the UST Growling Tigers, 72-63, at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan on Monday.
Now 2-0, the Tamaraws jumped the gun early and led by as many as 16 points, 34-18, with 7:08 left in the first half.
Jorick Bautista and Mo Konateh powered the Tamaraws with 16 points each, with the latter finishing with a double-double by recording 21 rebounds as well.
UST, who missed Nic Cabañero due to the FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League, made it a ball game in the third quarter. The Growling Tigers slashed the FEU lead down to five, 44-49, with 4:18 ticks left in the quarter after Kyle Paranada converted on a stepback jumper.
But Konateh and the rest of the Tamaraws staved their efforts, ending the third ahead by nine, 57-48.
The Growling Tigers were still within shouting distance after a Leland Estacio layup to get within seven, 70-63, with 48 seconds remaining. But Jedrick Daa put the icing on the cake with a basket on the other end to seal FEU’s victory.
Homegrown rookie Liam Salansang had quality minutes as well, finishing with 10 points and two rebounds in 13 minutes of action.
Peter Osang paced UST in the losing effort with 17 points, eight boards, and two assists. Guard Forthsky Padrigao had an off night, going 1-of-9 in shooting, to finish with four points, three rebounds, eight assists, and three steals.
UST saw its record blemished at 2-1.