The Tamaraws smashed University of Santo Tomas in a convincing 87-60 triumph in their second meeting of the season Thursday in the 75th UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Tamaraws swept UST in the eliminations, and even eclipsed the latter in the standings despite holding a similar win-lose card (6-2).
Terrence Romeo was responsible for FEU’s blistering start — making it hard for UST to recover — while Roger Pogoy, Arvie Bringas and Anthony Hargrove delivered the final punches in the second half.
“We watched them every time, and we were prepared for whatever they threw at us, especially when they’re trying to comeback,” said coach Bert Flores in Filipino.
Romeo exploded for 19 points, all but three of which in the first half alone where the Tamaraws handily built a 28-point edge, the widest of the game, three times.
“Our ball movement was okay, we rebounded well, that’s why we were up big early,” said Flores.
Pogoy and Hargrove added 13 points apiece with 11 and four boards, respectively while Bringas chipped in 10 points.
But more than the Tamaraws’ hot shooting (64%), it was also the horrible offense that keyed in the Tigers’ demise, which snapped a record six game winning streak.
UST finished with six treys, but only after missing 14 straight shots from down town, while Karim Abdul sorely struggled with just 11 points, which was beyond his average.
Aljon Mariano led the Tigers with 15 points while starting point guard Jeric Fortuna added 12 points.