FEU captures UAAP Jrs. title

Far Eastern U-Diliman captured the UAAP Season 85 boys’ basketball crown, sweeping Adamson in the best-of-three finale with a 7776 Game 2 win yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

John Rey Pasaol fired 21 points including the go-ahead free throws to lead four players in double digits as the Baby Tamaraws completed a 2-0 sweep of the Baby Falcons for their first title since Season 79.

Pasaol, brother of PBA player and former UE cager Alvin, added eight assists, four rebounds and four steals with VJ Pre (16), Dwyne Miranda (10) and Luke Felipe (10) chipping in for coach Allan Albano.

Kirby Mongcopa also stood tall for the Baby Tamaraws with his near triple-double of nine points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.

The Baby Tamaraws essayed an 85-74 win in Game 1 before wrapping it up with a Game 2 win for a full reversal of roles after being swept by the Baby Falcons in the elimination rounds.

This time, there was no stopping FEU as it capped a stellar campaign that also featured a semifinal win over reigning champion National U-Nazareth School led by MVP Reinhard Jumamoy.

“’Yung sinulat ko sa white board kanina, ‘Effort is the key.’ From jumpball pa lang, nakita ko sa kanila ‘yung effort na gusto nilang kunin ang series na ito,” said coach Albano.

Meanwhile, title-holder National U primes up for an awaited rematch against runner-up La Salle next week when it collides with gritty Far Eastern U at 3 p.m. today in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Center in San Juan.