FEU struck back at its first-round tormentor Ateneo as the Tamaraws delivered in clutch to bag their first back-to-back wins in UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball action.
Redemption came sweet for FEU.
Jorick Bautista took charge down the stretch as the Tamaraws exacted revenge on the struggling Ateneo Blue Eagles, 75-68, in their thrilling second-round showdown in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, October 12, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Bautista’s clutch triple capped a pivotal 7-0 run that flipped a 63-67 deficit into a 70-67 advantage with 1:19 left, before draining another crucial trey from the left wing for a 73-68 cushion with 27 seconds remaining.
Mo Konateh then iced the game with a pair of free throws late as the Tamaraws improved 3-5 and sent the Blue Eagles to a fourth-straight loss and to 4-4 slate.
Bautista finished with 20 points while Kirby Mongcopa added 16 and Janrey Pasaol and Konateh chipped 15 each.
FEU clashes with defending champion UP Sunday, Oct. 26, at 4:30 p.m. at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Meanwhile, Ateneo faces league-leading NU on the same day in the curtain-raiser at 1:30 p.m.
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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.