UAAP: FEU stuns DLSU in wire-to-wire victory

The Far Eastern University Tamaraws bagged a momentum-boosting win over the reigning champion De La Salle University Green Archers, 90-78, in the ongoing UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Sept. 30, 2026, at SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Fresh off a convincing 93-70 win over the University of the East, FEU picked up where they left off, putting up a stellar offensive performance that continued DLSU’s early UAAP woes.

The Tamaraws had one of their most efficient shooting performances in the first half, burying 5 of 10 from the 3-point line and 7 of 9 from the free-throw line while racking up 10 assists on 20 converted shots.

Despite multiple zone defense adjustments from DLSU head coach Topex Robinson, FEU torched the Green Archers, ending the half with a comfortable 14-point lead.

FEU kicked off the contest waxing hot from the field, putting up 25 points to leave DLSU behind, 25-13, heading into the second quarter.

The frame remained FEU’s show as the trio of Kirby Mongcopa, Cabs Cabonilas and Veejay Bautista made up for the Tamaraws’ early foul trouble by spearheading an 11-3 closing run.

DLSU had its moments, especially in the third quarter after trimming FEU’s lead to single digits, but answering the call for the Tamaraws was Mo Konateh, who feasted in the shaded lane.

FEU dumped the ball to Konateh when the Green Archers made their run, dominating the paint through on-point high-low passes while locating open shooters when DLSU started to deploy soft double-teams.

DLSU attempted one final avalanche in the fourth canto, courtesy of Luis Pablo and Mason Amos’ timely buckets, but every time the reigning champs seemed poised to go on a run, FEU had its own offensive counter.

Cabonilas put the final nail in the coffin with back-to-back drives, backstopped by a Konateh tip-in layup that prevented DLSU from cutting FEU’s double-digit lead in the final two minutes of regulation.

Mongcopa led the FEU assault with an all-around effort of 20 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Cabonilas added 17 points and six rebounds.

Bautista delivered 12 points in FEU’s second straight win, while Konateh capped the dub with a monster double-double outing of 10 markers, 14 boards, four dimes, four steals and three blocks.

The Tamaraws will gun for their third consecutive UAAP win on Oct. 4, 2026, against the UP Fighting Maroons, while DLSU seeks to bounce back on the same date against UE.