On Sunday, the FEU Tamaraws sent a strong message to someone they used to play with in Veejay Pre, as they outplayed the UP Fighting Maroons en route to a 90-79 win in the UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament. And, after the game, one of FEU’s leaders, Janrey Pasaol, commended the Tamaraws’ maturity while moving on from Pre’s shock exit from Morayta.
FEU’s Maturity Growing by Leaps and Bounds
For the reigning UAAP MVP, he is happy with FEU’s maturity and its ability to maintain focus after a tightly contested first half against the Fighting Maroons.
“Siguro ’yung maturity ng team kasi three years na kami magkakasama,” said Pasaol during the post-game press conference after FEU’s statement win. “’Yun lang talaga ’yung nag-set ng tone sa amin ngayon na maturity namin sa game, kung paano namin basahin sistema ni Coach Sean [Chambers] ngayon.”
Pasaol was one of those who led the way, ending up with 15 points, 3 boards, 4 assists, and 2 steals while showing leadership in the Tamaraws’ third-quarter surge.
Aside from Pasaol, third-year player Kirby Mongcopa also made significant contributions with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. Sophomore foreign student-athlete Mo Konateh added 10 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.
Pasaol on Accepting Veejay Pre’s Departure
Another show of maturity in Pasaol’s eyes is the team moving on from Pre’s departure from the program.
“First of all kasi, nung nabalitaan kong aalis si Veejay, parang ako talaga ’yung nasaktan nung time na ’yun kasi Veejay is Veejay. Isa siya sa malaking piece sa amin simula sa first season namin sa UAAP,” Pasaol admitted. “Tas tumagal na UP na nga daw siya, parang natanggap naman na din namin na ’yun ’yung pinili niyang tahakin. Dito kami, gagawin lang namin ’yung mayroon kami ngayon.”
The Tamaraws are certainly doing what they can and with who they have, racing out to a league-best 3-1 record after losing their opener to the Adamson Soaring Falcons. They will then take a short break before they take on the Ateneo Blue Eagles on October 10 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
