Mongcopa's Third-Quarter Burst Keeps La Salle at Bay in FEU Win

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Kirby Mongcopa scored 13 of his 20 points in the third quarter as Far Eastern University held off a late push for a 90-78 win in UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball on Wednesday, September 30, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

The Tamaraws answered every run from defending champion De La Salle University and improved to 2-1, joining a five-way tie atop the standings. Mongcopa also grabbed five rebounds, dished out three assists and blocked a shot.

Kirby Mongcopa led FEU with 20 points in its 90-78 victory over defending champion La Salle in UAAP Season 89. [photo credit: Peter Baltazar]

Mongcopa Stops La Salle’s Third-Quarter Rally

The Green Archers found their rhythm in the third period and picked up the pace. Mongcopa answered with 13 points in the quarter to keep FEU in control, 76-62, heading into the fourth.

FEU’s lead grew as large as 73-54 in the third before La Salle trimmed the deficit. The Tamaraws had set the tone early, racing to a 25-13 lead and then protecting it against repeated comeback attempts.

La Salle’s only lead was 4-2 early on. The Green Archers never recovered from that slow start, despite their repeated attempts to mount a comeback.

Tamaraws Join Five-Way Logjam as La Salle Slips to 1-2

Five Tamaraws scored in double figures. Cabs Cabonilas added 17 points and six rebounds, Jorick Bautista had 12, and Mo Konateh and Jedric Daa each finished with 10.

Konateh, a Gambian center, filled the stat sheet with 14 rebounds, four assists, four steals and three blocks. His all-around effort helped FEU, which lost to Adamson on opening day, win its second straight game.

FEU joined National University, the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and University of Santo Tomas at 2-1. The Tamaraws also beat La Salle during their late second-round surge last season.

La Salle absorbed its second straight loss and fell to 1-2 and seventh place. Luis Pablo led the Green Archers with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Mason Amos scored 10.

Both teams return to action Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. La Salle faces the University of the East at 3 p.m., and FEU meets the University of the Philippines at 5:30 p.m.