UAAP: Mongcopa powers FEU in statement win against La Salle

MANILA (UPDATED) — Kirby Mongcopa powered Far Eastern University to a statement 90-78 win over defending champion De La Salle University in UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Mongcopa fired 20 points, five rebounds, and three assists to lift the Tamaraws to their second straight win in three outings, while Cabs Cabonilas followed with 17 points and six rebounds.

It was a virtual wire-to-wire victory for Far Eastern U, which only saw La Salle lead 4-2 before dominating by as much as 19 points as the Green Archers could not recover from their slow start.

“I felt like we just prepared for it,” said Tamaraws head coach Sean Chambers, who credited the victory to their preparation for La Salle. “What we did was we got in the gym, we pushed each other. Sometimes pain can be your best teacher.”

Also contributing was rookie Cabs Cabonilas, who pushed FEU’s lead to its biggest at 73-54 in the third quarter before finishing with 17 points and six rebounds, while Jorick Bautista notched 12 points, four assists, and two rebounds.

It was a crucial victory for the Tams, as they joined the five-way logjam at 2-1 with National University, University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, and University of Santo Tomas.

On the other hand, it was the second straight loss for La Salle, sending the Green Archers to seventh place in the eight-team field.

Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 players Luis Pablo and Andrei Dungo served as the few bright spots for La Salle, putting up 15 and 10 points, respectively, after their fourth-place finish in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

FEU 90 – Mongcopa 20, Cabonilas 17, Bautista 12, Konateh 10, Daa 10, Pasaol 7, Gish 6, Felipe 6, Hall 2, Burgos 0, Nakai 0, Rañeses 0.

La Salle 78 – Pablo 15, Amos 10, Dungo 10, Tovera 8, Macalalag 8, Abadam 8, Cortez 6, Agunanne 6, Daep 4, Gagate 3, Marasigan 0.

Quarterscores: 25-13, 52-38, 76-62, 90-78.