Monstrous Mo Konateh, clutch Jorick Bautista lead FEU past Adamson in OT thriller

MANILA, Philippines – The second round of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament kicked off with a bang as win-hungry FEU downed Adamson in a 76-72 overtime thriller at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, October 12.

Consistent rookie big man Mo Konateh poured prime fuel to his rapid rise with a monstrous 13-point, 26-rebound double-double — falling one board shy of the men’s league record — to go with 4 blocks and 2 steals in a 43-minute marathon run after placing fifth in the MVP race.

Clutch gunner Jorick Bautista, meanwhile, further added to his reliable crunch-time reputation, scoring 9 of his game-high 21 points in the extra period, made possible in the first place with a game-tying triple that added 5 more minutes to the nip-and-tuck contest.

Fully unleashed in overtime, the veteran guard then gave FEU a four-point cushion, 64-60, off a highly contested mid-range jumper plus the foul with 2:30 to play.

Not even a barrage of desperate Monty Montebon triples — three in total just in the last 90 seconds of overtime — were enough as Bautista intertwined calm free-throw trips amid Adamson’s final rally to keep the Tamaraws just slightly ahead until the final buzzer.

“What we’re seeing…and I thought about this morning, is we’re really four months into this journey with me as head coach. We’re starting to see the light in our offense and some of our schemes, and they’re getting there and getting there and getting there,” said FEU head coach Sean Chambers.

“Our defense was phenomenal. They did a great job and bought into our game plan. I cannot be prouder. They’re buying into what we do and we’re getting there with Jorick’s leadership.”

Montebon, held without a field goal in regulation, still led the Falcons in the heartbreaking loss with a full line of 16 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block in just 24 minutes, while Cedrick Manzano churned out an 11-point, 14-board double-double before fouling out early in overtime.

With the win, FEU rose to a 2-6 record, still in seventh place, to spark its second-round run after its first overtime win against Ateneo, while Adamson fell to a 3-5 slate, still in fifth.

The Scores

FEU 76 – Bautista 21, Konateh 13, Pre 10, Alforque 9, Montemayor 8, Pasaol 8, Anonuevo 3, Daa 3, Ona 1, Nakai 0, Jones 0.

Adamson 72 – Montebon 16, Fransman 11, Manzano 10, Calisay 10, Ojarikre 9, Yerro 4, Erolon 3, Mantua 3, Alexander 3, Anabo 3, Barasi 0, Ramos 0.
Quarters: 6-14, 29-25, 44-40, 58-58 (reg.), 76-72 (OT).

– Rappler.com