Far Eastern University’s Terrence Romeo had his breakout game Sunday, hitting 21 points as the league-leading Tamaraws scored a 94-70 rout of the Fighting Maroons to remain unbeaten after four games in the 73rd UAAP basketball tournament at the Philsports Arena.
After FEU's 20-point lead was reduced to just seven points in the third quarter, Romeo played like a seasoned veteran, knocking down one big shot after another that enabled the Tamaraws to pull away for good.
By the end of the game, he had 15 second half points, 10 of which came in the third, while dishing out four assists and stole the ball two times in just 18 minutes off the bench to rise above the shadows of wily guard RR Garcia.
"Siguro naka-collapse lahat ng depensa kay RR (Garcia) kaya nabigyan ako ng chance para mag-step-up," said Romeo, an 18-year old Sports and Recreational Management student.
Coincidentally, Romeo did the record-breaking feat last season against UP Integrated School, the Maroons' juniors squad, which paved the way for him to win the 2009 Most Valuable Player award for FEU-Nicanor Reyes Educational Foundation.
Veteran big man Reil Cervantes posted 18 points, four rebounds and four assists while Garcia registered 11 points, six rebounds and two steals to help the Tamaraws’ cause.
Former Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez was the one who called the shots for the Fighting Maroons but this hardly helped the cause of the Diliman-based squad. (Jonas Terrado, MB)
Scores:
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.
