Tamaraws eye No. 2, solo lead vs Eagles

Games today 

2 p.m. – La Salle vs UP

4 p.m. – Ateneo vs FEU

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern U hopes to draw another sterling performance from guard Terrence Romeo as it shoots for a second straight win – and the solo lead – against defending five-peat champion Ateneo in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament today at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

Romeo dished out a near-triple double effort of 23 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds in leading the Tams past early title favorite the University of the East, 89-78, in last Saturday’s inaugurals of the league’s 76th season.

And coach Nash Racela thinks his energetic guard is due for more big games.

“Romeo is still a work in progress,” Racela told The STAR.

The Tams actually overhauled an early double-digit deficit before beating the recently crowned Filoil Flying V champions with Romeo sparking the fightback with his superb all-around performance.

Still, one game doesn’t make a champion team with Racela maintaining that any team can beat anyone this season.

“We’re happy with the win and with how our players played together, not just Romeo and RR (Garcia) but the whole team,” said Racela. “But the challenge for us is to be consistent with what we are doing.”

The Tams are also very much aware that they’re facing an Ateneo team reeling from a manpower loss and coming off a crushing 54-64 defeat to the reigning two-time league MVP Bobby Ray Parks Jr. and the National U Bulldogs Sunday.

Kiefer Ravena, now the Eagles’ main man following the departure of the likes of Greg Slaughter and Nico Salva, failed to see much action in the inaugurals, scoring just two points, his movement slowed down by an ankle injury he sustained during practice.

But the spitfirish Ateneo guard is expected to have recovered and play the game expected of him in their 4 p.m. encounter with the Tams.

“Ateneo is pressured to get first win so we need to match their intensity,” said Racela.

Like Ateneo, La Salle and University of the Philippines also seek their first win in the season as the Archers and the Fighting Maroons clash in the 2 p.m. opener.

The Green Archers lost a heartbreaking 58-63 overtime loss to the Tigers Saturday, their bid hampered by a series of turnovers. The Taft-based squad, however, hopes to settle down with its game against the Maroons, who gave the Adamson Falcons some anxious moments before bowing, 67-79, last Sunday.