By el Amigo
MANILA — Kirby Mongcopa delivered when Far Eastern University needed him most, leading the Tamaraws to a 90-79 victory over University of the Philippines and ending their seven-year drought against the Fighting Maroons Sunday at the Philsports Arena.
Mongcopa finished with 24 points, nine rebounds and three assists as FEU tightened its grip on the game and moved to 3-1 in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.
The Tamaraws had not beaten UP since 2019.
Jorick Bautista scored 16 points and Janrey Pasaol added 15, while Mo Konateh made his presence felt across the floor with 10 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block.
Veejay Pre, a former FEU player, led UP with 16 points. Francis Nnoruka scored 14 and Rey Remogat 12 for the Maroons, who fell to 2-2.
La Salle, meanwhile, found its rhythm in a big way, overwhelming University of the East, 112-87, to recover from two straight losses.
Amos led the Green Archers with 19 points, Cortez chipped in 15 and four other La Salle players scored at least 10 points.
Lagat kept UE in the fight with 30 points, but the Red Warriors remained without a win after five games.
FEU meets Ateneo on Oct. 10 at Smart Araneta Coliseum, while UP faces La Salle on Oct. 11 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Both games are set for 5:30 p.m.
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