UAAP: Red-hot FEU staves off late NU surge to go 5-0

Terrence Romeo. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University almost got a dose of its own medicine before weathering a late storm by National University, 87-83, in the UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Tamaraws squandered a 20-point lead before leaning on star guard Terrence Romeo to get them out of harm’s way.

“Very simple. I always say it’s how we finish. We started really, really nice but we didn’t finish very well. Good thing si Terrence was able to make that layup to secure us the victory,” said FEU head coach Nash Racela, whose team hiked its league-leading mark to 5-0.

The Bulldogs, who dropped to 3-2, pulled to within two after a three by Robin Roño, 83-85, with only 8.8 ticks left.

Romeo finished with 24 points, including two free throws to ice the game with 5.5 seconds left, to go along with three rebounds and five assists.

Last Saturday, the Tamaraws came back from 13 down late to stun the De La Salle Green Archers in overtime.

Romeo, who went six-of-10 from downtown, hit a left-handed layup to extend the Tams’ edge back to six, 84-78, with 26.5 ticks left after Ray Parks’ two free throws got the Bulldogs to within six.

The last time FEU went unbeaten in five games was back in Season 73 when the Tamaraws racked up seven consecutive games to begin the year.

Emmanuel Mbe and Ray Parks anchored NU’s comeback with most of their points coming in during their team’s 18-3 run that cut the deficit to four, 82-78, with still 46.6 ticks remaining.

Mbe dominated the shaded area en route to 27 points and 17 rebounds, 12 of which on the offensive glass while Parks added 26 points and eight rebounds but failed to register an assist and had three errors as FEU’s defense clamped down on the two-time MVP.

The Tamaraws, who never trailed, shot 15-of-29 from long range while the Bulldogs misfired on 19 of their 24 attempts from that area.