Tams crush Maroons Falcons nip Tigers

Terrence Romeo finally showed a glimpse of his impressive shooting as Far Eastern University roared to its fourth straight victory with a 94-70 romp over winless University of the Philippines in the 73rd UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the PhilSports Arena.

Romeo, who fired a staggering 83 points in one game as a junior last year, unloaded 10 straight of his game-high 21 points in a 12-2 run that put the Tamaraws back in control, 71-54, after the Maroons rallied within 59-52 in the third quarter.

“Their defense was concentrated on RR Garcia, so it’s good that Terrence stepped up,” said coach Glenn Capacio. “[Romeo] can do everything. We knew he’d explode any time.”

In the second game, Adamson bucked another sizzling shooting performance by University of Santo Tomas to eke out a 75-71 triumph and grab a share of second behind the unbeaten Tamaraws.

Lester Alvarez drilled 22 points, including nine of the Falcons’ last 13 points that kept the rallying Tigers at bay in the final two minutes.

“We’re really focusing on our maturity in the end game,” said Adamson coach Leo Austria. “Our composure was intact, unlike last season where we usually lose in the end game.”

The Falcons joined idle La Salle at 3-1, while the Tigers slipped to a three-way tie at 2-2 with defending champion Ateneo and National University.

UST again shot 16 three-pointers in a single game just three days after posting the same feat in their victory against the Maroons.

Jeric Teng buried seven triples for a career-high 23 points, while Jeric Fortuna, who nailed eight treys in his last outing, knocked in all of his 15 points from three-point range.

“Their shooters were marked men, but we couldn’t execute our defense,” said Austria. “But it’s a good thing we recovered, we played good defense in the last three possessions.”

The Falcons converted on UST’s two consecutive turnovers in the dwindling seconds to surge ahead, 71-65, after trailing at 62-63.

Teng and Clark Bautista kept the Tigers in the fight, 73-71, after back-to-back triples with 3.1 seconds left, before Jerick Cañada sealed Adamson’s victory with two free throws.

Adamson set the record for most number of triples at 16 in 2006, which UST duplicated twice in a span of three days.

The Maroons, with acting coach Boyet Fernandez at the helm, skidded to their fourth straight loss three days after mentor Aboy Castro filed a “leave of absence” from the team.

Adding to the Maroons’ woes was the absence of veteran forward Woody Co, who was sidelined for the rest of the game after hurting his right foot early in the second quarter.

“I didn’t step on anyone, my foot just landed awkwardly,” said Co, who averaged 14.4 points and 7.7 rebounds in the Maroons’ last three games.

The 5-foot-11 Romeo, the former Baby Tam who copped last year’s juniors MVP, also dished out four assists and had two steals for the Tamaraws.

“I was having a hard time at first because the players here are more matured, but I’m starting to adjust,” said Romeo.

The Maroons also have a former high school MVP in their roster, Joshua Saret, who shot a record 89 points in last year’s NCAA juniors.

But Saret suited up for only five minutes to finish with two points.

The scores:

First Game

FEU 94—Romeo 21, Cervantes 18, Garcia 11, Exciminiano 10, Ramos 9, Noundou 8, Cawaling 8, Bringas 6, Cruz 3, Mendoza 0, Foronda 0, Sanga 0, Knuttel 0, Guerrero 0.

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

Quarters: 28-18, 50-33, 71-55, 94-70

Second Quarter

ADAMSON 75—Alvarez 22, Lozada 10, Nuyles 9, Manyara 8, Camson 8, Colina 7, Cañada 6, Cabrera 3, Stinett 2, Etrone 0, Galinato 0, Basilio 0.

UST 71—Teng 23, Fortuna 15, Camus 11, Bautista 11, Mariano 5, Pe 2, Daquioag 2, Afuang 2, Wong 0, Tinte 0, Mamaril 0, Lo 0.

Quarters: 19-13, 34-32, 52-53, 75-71