FAR EASTERN University’s luck still hasn’t run out.
Leaning on their vaunted backcourt trio, the Tamaraws survived another cardiac game in nosing out the Adamson Falcons, 65-62, to keep the solo lead in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Terrence Romeo, RR Garcia and Cris Tolomia combined for FEU’s last 13 points even as the Tamaraws held on to their slim lead after a crucial turnover in the dwindling seconds.
“Another heart-attack game,” said coach Bert Flores after the Tamaraws stayed unbeaten in three games after pulling out close victories over University of Santo Tomas and La Salle.
Romeo tied his career-high of 23 points, including the marginal three-point play, 65-60, with 2:18 minutes left. He also dished out six assists.
“It’s still not the kind of game we’re looking for,” Flores said of his Tamaraws, who won their first two games by just an average of 1.5 points.
Earlier, National University recovered from a lopsided loss to Ateneo with a 67-50 dumping of University of the Philippines.
Ray Parks unloaded 18 points on top of four rebounds, six assists and three steals to power the Bulldogs to their second triumph in three games.
Emmanuel Mbe also had a huge double-double outing of 17 points and 16 boards for the Bulldogs, who stretched the gap to as many as 28 points, 56-28, in the final quarter.
“The ability to bounce back from a loss, especially a big loss to Ateneo, that’s one reason why I want to commend the boys,” NU coach Eric Altamirano said of his Bulldogs, who were outclassed by the four-time champion, 89-65, in a showdown tipped to be tight.
“We worked on the stuff we struggled with,” said Parks, last season’s MVP. “They (Blue Eagles) showed our weakness, but at the same time, it was a test of character.”
The Maroons dropped to 0-2 along with the Falcons.
The scores:
First Game
NU 67—Parks 18, Mbe 17, Javillonar 9, Roño 7, Alolino 6, Villamor 4, Ignacio 4, De Guzman 2, Singh 0, Rosaio 0, Neypes 0, Labing-isa 0. Betayene 0.
UP 50—Silungan 11, Manuel 11, Montecastro 10, Ball 4, Lopez 4, Hipolito 4, Asilum 4, Soyud 2, Mbah 0, Romero 0, Padilla 0, Gamboa 0.
Quarters: 16-10, 42-18, 52-28, 67-50
Second Game
FEU 65—Romeo 23, Garcia 12, Belo 9, Tolomia 6, Escoto 5, Hargrove 4, A. Bringas 4, M. Bringas 2, Pogoy 0, Cruz 0.
ADAMSON 62—Etrone 13, Camson 11, Brondial 11, Cruz 8, Petilos 7, Cabrera 4, Abrigo 4, Trollano 2, Nuyles 2, Rios 0, Monteclaro 0, Julkipli 0, Agustin 0.
Quarters: 15-15, 35-28, 50-49, 65-62