Romeo clutch hits save Tams

Standings       W          L

FEU                  5          0

UST                  3           1

NU                    3           2

Adamson        2           2

La Salle          2           2

UE                   2            3

Ateneo           1             4

UP                   0            4

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern shot its way to a 20-point cushion then quelled National U’s torrid uprising at endgame to secure an 87-83 triumph and sustain its charge in the UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball tournament at the MOA Arena yesterday.

The Tams torched the hoops with a season-high 15 triples to erect double-digit margins and when they were under siege, turned to Terrence Romeo for the bailout shots that kept their unbeaten run and grip of the solo lead intact after five games.

NU dropped to 3-2 for third spot behind FEU and University of Santo Tomas’ 3-1.

“We did well in the first three quarters but we didn’t finish well. We allowed them score 35 points in the fourth. Good thing Terrence made that layup in the end to secure the victory. We should learn from this, we can’t be satisfied,” said FEU coach Nash Racela, whose wards led by as many as 68-48.

Still enjoying an 81-62 tear with 4:41 left in the payoff period, the Tams fell into a dry spell as Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. and Emmanuel Mbe turned on the heat on the other end and pushed the Bulldogs to within 78-82.

But Romeo (24 points) drove in for a scoop shot that restored a six-point cushion with 26.5 seconds left and later cashing in on his charities for an 87-83 lead in the last 5.5 seconds of the contest. 

The Tams’ rainbow connection was the most since UST fired 16 treys three seasons ago.

“It’s a good thing we connected today,” said Racela of their 15-of-29 three-point shooting. “Last game was really awful. But we took the same amount of shots, almost 30, so it’s either we limit taking shots or really improved on our percentage. Today we improved on our percentage.”

Romeo made 6 of his 10 three-point tries to lead the sizzling shooting of FEU, which also got two treys each from Carl Cruz (13 points), Gryann Mendoza (10) and RR Garcia (nine) plus one apiece from Mike Tolomia (seven), Roger Pogoy (five) and Axel Inigo (three).

“I realized that my shooting percentage is low so I took extra efforts to improve my shooting,” said Romeo, who also had three rebounds and five assists.

Mbe made 27 points and 17 rebounds while Parks wound up with 26 markers and eight boards for NU.

Earlier, returning Charles Mammie carried University of the East on his broad shoulders as the Warriors outlasted the Ateneo Eagles, 72-68, to arrest a two-game slide and improve to 2-3.  

Ateneo fell to 1-4, absorbing its second straight loss to UE stretching to the second round of Season 75.

Mammie, who served a one-game suspension in UE’s 77-88 setback to UST last week, banged in 20 points and 23 rebounds in his return, his crucial defensive rebound and two free throws giving the Warriors a four-point cushion with 17.2 seconds left.

Roi Sumang added 14 points, the same output by seldom-used Dan Alberto who stepped up job on offense.

The endgame exploits of Mammie and Sumang salvaged the win for the Warriors, who went up by as many as 15, 46-31, but suffered a near-devastating meltdown. The resilient Blue Eagles overtook the Warriors, 63-60, on Kiefer Ravena’s trey and layup off steal and pulled up by one, 67-66, going to the last 1:22.

“The problem with my team is they have egos that are difficult to handle. When Ateneo made their comeback, their egos got deflated, and fortunately they woke up at the right time,” said UE coach Boyzie Zamar.

He could not hide his displeasure over his wards’ inconsistent nature and lack of maturity.

“These players have to wake up as early as now. It seems they brought the wrong shoes; they thought slippers will do in the UAAP but no, combat shoes are needed here. UAAP is a long journey, we have to be equipped for it,” said Zamar.

Juami Tiongson paced Ateneo with 17, backstopped by Von Pessumal’s 12 and Ravena’s 11.