Inside a place he once called home, Doy Dungo became the difference-maker in the DLSU Green Archers' bounce-back effort at the expense of the FEU Tamaraws in UAAP Season 88.
No Kean Baclaan, no problem for the DLSU Green Archers.
Doy Dungo stepped up to the plate to help the Taft-based squad dodge a bullet against the FEU Tamaraws to claim their second win in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
[ALSO READ: DLSU sends FEU reeling to 0-3 start in UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball]
Dungo unloaded a team-high 17 points on a solid 7-of-11 shooting in a game where DLSU – who missed Baclaan due to a sprained ankle he sustained in their last game against UST — still came out on top despite getting outscored 21-10 by FEU in the fourth.
“Para sakin naman, kailangan ko mag-step up kasi kulag kami. Naging composed and ready lang ako,” Dungo said in the post-game press conference.
In addition to Dungo’s heroics, Mason Amos, Jacob Cortez, and EJ Gollena each contributed 14 points, while Mike Phillips — though struggling offensively with six points — anchored the team with 13 rebounds, nine assists, and one block.
La Salle big man Mason Amos in action against the FEU Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament | Photo: The UAAP
Coincidentally, all of DLSU’s wins this season have come by two points — a trend assistant coach Caloy Garcia welcomes but hopes to change moving forward.
“The nice thing about winning a close game is that you know how to close out games but of course it’s nice to win games convincingly. The season goes, every team is going to be better and so we hope to get better also,” Garcia bared.
When preparation meets opportunity
For Dungo, his best game of the season came in a place he’s familiar with.
Before transferring to DLSU, Dungo played for the UST Tiger Cubs, making his performance on this stage all the more special.
Now with the Green Archers, Dungo got help from coaches to step up as a ball handler when needed — just as he did against FEU.
“Credits sa mga coaches kasi nagsisimula 'yun sa mga pratices namin. Nire-ready lang nila ako para pagdating sa game, ready na ako.
Up next for DLSU is a highly anticipated matchup against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sunday, October 5, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Meanwhile, FEU, still winless at 0-3, was led by Janrey Pasaol’s 25 points. Mo Konateh and Kirvy Mongcopa each added 14 points as the Tamaraws look to bounce back against the Adamson Soaring Falcons.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.