FEU's Mongcopa, UST's Pingol stand out as UAAP Players of the Week

MANILA, Philippines — With the Final of Four of the UAAP Season 88 collegiate basketball tourneys right around the corner, Far Eastern University and National University are clicking on all cylinders at just the right time thanks to key pieces Kirby Mongcopa and Ann Pingol.

The rookie Mongcopa battled through rough shooting to help FEU escape Adamson, while Pingol added a personal touch to NU’s semis-clinching victory to earn the Collegiate Press Corps’ (CPC) UAAP Players of the Week award presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) from October 27 to November 2.

As FEU nursed a dwindling 13-point lead, the Soaring Falcons clawed back to extend the match to overtime, where Mongcopa tested his mettle against Cedrick Manzano and nabbed timely rebounds and quick baskets.

While the Dumaguete-born forward very well could have shot the Tamaraws out of the game by going one-of-four in the most crucial free throws of the game, Mongcopa’s game-saving stop on Monty Montebon successfully held off Adamson and earned FEU their fourth win of the season, 73-70.

“Yung tira ni Montebon, nakita ko na wala nang shot clock kaya dinirecho ko na yun eh. Nakuha ko naman, yun nga lang, hindi napasok yung tira kong free throw ng isa. Pero ayun nga, nasa pag-process yan,” recalled Mongcopa, who had 11 points, 17 rebounds, and four assists against the Soaring Falcons.

Though Mongcopa started for head coach Sean Chambers in all but the first two games, his most crucial performance by far proved enough to overtake teammate Janrey Pasaol, Adamson’s Manzano, Rey Allen Torres, La Salle’s Mike Phillips, and NU’s Paul Francisco and Omar John for the award sponsored by Discovery Suites and Buffalo's Wings N' Things.

Meanwhile, Pingol made NU’s clinching of the second Season 88 women’s basketball tournament Final Four spot much more gratifying with a triple-double of 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists in their 97-67 win over De La Salle University — a first in her career.

With not only a Final Four streak, but also an eight-game win streak to keep alive, Pingol was oblivious that she notched the first triple-double of the season in the women’s basketball tournament.

“Kanina, hindi ko rin kasi alam na ‘yon yung stats ko. Parang sinasabihan din ako ng coaches and yung mga kasama ko naman sa court, parang they fed me na kailangan ko raw ng ganito tapos kami raw bahala sa’yo,” said Pingol, who even flirted with a quadruple-double as she also tallied six steals.

“Alam nila na hindi ko ‘yon magagawa pag wala sila, kailangan ko rin sila. Dahil din sa kanila ito,” added Pingol, who edged out teammate Aloha Betanio, UST’s Kent Pastrana, Karylle Sierba, and Adamson’s Cheska Apag and Elaine Etang to earn the weekly nod.

FEU returns to action with Mongcopa leading the charge on Sunday, November 9, against the UST Growling Tigers to further push their Final Four hopes, while Pingol and NU stake their win streak against the Adamson Lady Falcons on Saturday, November 8, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.