Tamaraws Stay Unbeaten, Gore Hapless Maroons

League-leading Far Eastern University (FEU) solidified its hold of the top spot, overrunning a listless University of the Philippines (UP), 94-70, yesterday to remain unbeaten in the 73rd UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Philsports Arena.

The Tamaraws got a big offensive lift from rookie sensation Terrence Romeo, who fired a career-high 21 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including three triples in a crucial stretch bridging the third and fourth quarters, to help FEU earn its fourth straight win in as many starts.

“I’m glad that our second-stringers stepped up. (We needed that additional help because) UP’s defense is concentrated on RR (Garcia),” FEU coach Glenn Capacio said of his second unit which thriving on the stellar plays of newcomers Romeo and Mark Bringas, and back-up guard Chris Exciminiano.

RR Garcia still finished in double-figures with 11 points despite UP’s tough defense.

Exciminiano scored 10 points, eight coming from the first half, while tirelessly hounding UP hotshot Mike Silungan on the defensive end. Bringas for his part tallied six markers in a 13-2 fourth-quarter blast that gave FEU a huge 21-point advantage, 84-63, with 2:56 left to play.

“Mas mahirap na i-scout ang team ko because we now have six to seven players whom we can rely on to contribute on offense,” Capacio said. “Terrence and the rest really made the game easier for us.”

True enough, FEU also drew significant numbers from bigman Riel Cervantes who knocked in 18 points, including 6-of-9 from the shaded lane, to make up for the sub-par performances of Aldrech Ramos, Pippo Noundou and JR Cawaling.

FEU stormed out of the woods early on, building a 43-23 lead capped by a Cervantes teardrop with 4:33 left in the second quarter.

But the Maroons, despite losing the injured Woody Co in the second frame, slowly inched their way back into the contest as Martin Reyes carded seven straight points, including a pair of back-to-back treys, to push UP within 51-59.

A Noundou breakaway dunk off a steal however sparked a 12-4 run highlighted by 10 points from the 5-foot 11 Romeo.

The Tamaraws coasted to their biggest lead at 91-67 on a Cervates triple to match their highest scoring output since Aug. 5, 2006 where they pummeled Adamson, 98-78.

The Scores:

FEU 94 – Romeo 21, Cervantes 18, Garcia 11, Exciminiano 10, Ramos 9, Noundou 8, Cawaling 8, Bringas 6, Cruz 4, Mendoza 0, Foronda 0, Sanga 0, Knuttel 0, Guerrero 0.

UP 70 – Reyes Martin 16, Sison 14, Silungan 11, Lopez 10, Padilla 9, Juruena 4, Saret 2, Reyes Mikey 2, Co 2, Pascual 0, Manuel 0, Evangelista 0, Hipolito 0, Gomez 0.

Quarter scores: 28-18, 50-33, 71-55, 94-70.

Anthony Divinagracia, UAAP Sports