FAR EASTERN University-Diliman hopes to shut Adamson’s bid to extend the UAAP high school boys basketball Finals series as it goes for the jugular at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Behind Kirby Mongcopa’s 20-point, 20-rebound output, the Baby Tamaraws rallied from a 11-point deficit to beat the Baby Falcons, 85-74, for the first time this season in last Tuesday’s opener.

“Ganoon rin ang nangyari noong 2016 na champion. Nagdaan din kami ng playoffs versus Ateneo. Kami ngayon, nagdaan ng playoffs versus NSNU. Then nakalaban namin ang NSNU na hindi kami nanalo sa eliminations, and dito is makakalaban namin ang Adamson na hindi kami nanalo ng eliminations. Sinabi ko sa kanila na hindi imposible na makaisa kami sa Adamson,” said FEU-Diliman coach Allan Albano.

The Baby Tamaraws are hoping for the same result in the first of two chances of reclaiming the crown that the LJay Gonzales-led squad won six years ago.

Albano was satisfied the way his troops handled in the second-half fightback.

“Naging pasensyoso sila depensa. Especially sa offense namin, hindi namin minadali,” said Albano.

With their backs against the wall, the Baby Falcons hope to rediscover their old form to stretch the Finals to a deciding Game 3 on Tuesday.

“It’s not impossible to beat them again twice. We did it sa eliminations so I think we can do it again in the best-of-three series. Positibo naman sila,” said Adamson coach Mike Fermin.

“Hats off sa FEU. They did a good job sa second half. Kami naman, we were outrebounded sobra, by 12. Those rebounds of theirs, na-convert nila sa puntos. Kami naman, yung rebound namin, na-convert sa turnovers. Iyon ang naging problema namin. Sana ma-lessen namin (yung turnovers) sa next gaime,” he added.

The league will honor the season’s best individual performers at 3 p.m.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado