Romeo shines as Tams escape Maroons

MANILA, Philippines – The Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws returned to their winning ways with a close win over the feisty University of the Philippines (UP) Maroons, 73-70, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on August 5, 2012.

Coming off a heartbreaker of a loss to National University, the Tamaraws were eager to get back on the winning track. Third year guard Terrence Romeo led the attack for FEU, setting up his big men inside to take advantage of the much smaller Mike Gamboa.

Less than 5 minutes into the game, the Tams were up 13-7 care of stingy defense and a couple of highflying dunks by Anthony Hargrove.

UP, on the other hand, took a bevy of ill-advised shots too far from the basket and too late in the shot clock. Coupled by poor boxing out, the Maroons were outrebounded consistently—particularly on defense, as they gave up 7-second chance points towards the end of the quarter.

After 10 minutes of play, FEU was up 22-15.

At the onset, the second period had Terrence Romeo written all over it. With an array of passes, a short stab, and a near 4-point play, the FEU guard helped extend the lead to 14 at 34-20.

Though their offense featured few set plays and tentative decisions, UP managed to claw back, going on a 10-3 run behind the athleticism of Mark Lopez and Jelo Montecastro. Still, the period would end with the Tams in possession of a considerable 41-32 lead.

It was after halftime that Mike Silungan decided to step out of his slump. Struggling with his shot all season, the UP swingman knocked in 8 points—including two triples—in a run that would see the Maroons cut the lead down to a solitary point, 45-44.

Unfortunately, the State U surge took a turn for the worse and the Tamaraws remained consistent on offense amidst UP’s trigger-happy ways. The Maroons once again faced a 9-point lead heading into the game’s last 10 minutes.

Two quick triples from Romeo and Chris Tolomia threatened to blow the game wide open, 68-53, at the start of the fourth. In typical UP fashion, however, the Diliman-based squad would fight back.

With import Chris Ball controlling the boards and Raul Soyud finding his groove inside, the Maroons went on a 16-3 run capped off by an Alvin Padilla triple from the elbow.

Soon, Lopez—who was perfect from the line thus far—had a chance to knot the game up at 71-all. Regrettably, the pressure proved too much and the Maroons remained behind, 71-70.

The FEU’s win, however, was marred by controversy. With roughtly 3 minutes left in the fourth quarter, FEU’s Hargrove blocked a UP shot, which the Fighting Maroons saw as a goal tend. 

Despite the video replay, the “non-call” stood. The Maroons’ Mike Silungan, who finished with 12 points for the State U, later took to Twitter to express his disappointment: 

We got robbed on that goaltending. Would have been a different story.

— Mike Silungan (@Mikesilungan23) August 5, 2012

Romeo put the finishing touches on a stellar night with two formality free throws. He led the Tams with 24 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. –Rappler.com

FEU, 73: Romeo 24, Hargrove 10, Tolomia 7, Mendoza 6, Belo 6, Garcia 5, A Bringas 5, Escoto 5, Cruz 3, Pogoy 2, M Bringas 0

UP, 70: Silungan 12, Soyud 11, Lopez 9, Ball 8, Padilla 8, Montecastro 8, Manuel 5, Hipolito 4, Gamboa 3, Mbah 2, Romero 0, Asilum 0

Quarter scores: 22-15, 41-32, 60-51, 73-70