UAAP: UP vs FEU round one preview and live-scoring

Game starts at 11am. Page auto-refreshes every 30 seconds.


The winless University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons will try to upset the currently undefeated Far Eastern University Tamaraws, when the two teams meet on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

State U's troops continue their adjustment to life without Mikee Reyes, who started their season opener but has since parted ways with the squad. In his place, the likes of Henri Asilum, Kyle Suarez and Jason Ligad ran the show to the tune of 24 points, 18 coming from three-pointers. However, the trio tallied just two assists total in the 96-84 loss to the DLSU Green Archers, with new starter Asilum notching a team-high four turnovers, proof that the rotation tweak still needs some getting used to.

By the same token, the team will hope that rookie Kyles Lao will be able to keep up his production. The latest in a line of scoring machines from Xavier School, Lao embraced the starting two-guard position and produced 18 markers on a 5-of-9 shooting clip, plus a perfect 8-for-8 stint at the foul line. If either Raul Soyud or Chris Ball can complement his and Joseph Marata's games, then UP could in fact have an upset on their hands.

FEU on the other hand needed an extra five minutes to beat the defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles, 79-75, in a tensely-fought battle. After beginning the season with a near-triple double, Terrence Romeo fell back to Earth. The point guard punched in 21 markers, but was just 1-of-9 from distance, and his three assists versus five turnovers was a far cry from his double-digit mark versus UE, but he made up for it with a keen 12-for-13 performance at the foul line, including some game-clinching free throws in OT.

One thing that must be noted about FEU is their newfound ability to turn opponents' turnovers into points. Following two games, they're norming nearly 20 per contest, a fact that ought to be noted by UP's young floor generals. If those guys are sloppy once more, their more veteran Tamaraw counterparts could have a field day in transition.

Game starts at 11am.


Season 75 history lesson:

Round one - Tamaraws edge Maroons late, 73-70
Round two - Tamaraws hold back Maroons anew, 67-63