GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
ADVERTISEMENT
Filtered By: Sports
Sports
UAAP: Romeo drops 32 as Tams turn back Falcons
+
Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google.
Terrence Romeo (C) torched Ryan Monteclaro, Michael Agustin (background) and the rest of the Adamson Falcons with 32 points on Saturday. KC Cruz
Terrence Romeo pummeled the Adamson Soaring Falcons with 32 points to lead the Far Eastern University Tamaraws to a 92-80 win, breaking their two-game skid on Saturday, at the Mall of Asia Arena, in the second round of UAAP Season 76.
FEU (9-4), who have a precarious hold on second place in the standings, booked themselves a spot in the Final Four. Meanwhile, Adamson (4-9) lost seven of its last eight games, and will look to end the season on a positive note versus the University of the East Red Warriors next week.
[Review the play-by-play of this game here]
The Tamaraws shook off the Falcons in the third quarter, embarking on a 19-3 run for a 63-45 lead. Adamson, who kept in step with FEU for much of the first half, couldn't sustain any momentum in the last 15 minutes owing to defensive lapses on their end.
Romeo's 32 points were a personal-high in the seniors division as well as a season-high for the league, besting his own 30-point output against the UE Red Warriors in the second round. The fourth-year guard added eight rebounds and four assists on 13-of-24 shooting.
"Galing ako sa masamang laro so sa dalawang practice namin nag-extra shooting ako nang nag-extra shooting," he said.
FEU head coach Nash Racela though didn't feel any relief after securing a postseason berth:
"Hindi pa tapos ang trabaho namin. The only thing I wrote on the board kanina was 'F4' only to remind them that it was our initial goal. It was within our reach, all we had to do was get it. And today marks a major step towards our eventual goal," he said.
He followed that up by saying there was still a lot of basketball to be played left. "Lahat sila may second gear," he said, specifically calling out the NU Bulldogs, UST Growling Tigers, DLSU Green Archers and Ateneo Blue Eagles.
"Basta alam ko, after having played 13 games, we're 9-4," smiled Racela.
Mac Belo delivered 18 points and nine rebounds, while RR Garcia had 14 points and six assists.
Terrence Romeo was in charge early on, scoring or assisting on 10 points for the Tamaraws. FEU also bottled up the Falcons in the halfcourt, denying Ingrid Sewa any touches. Instead, Rodney Brondial carried the cudgels for Adamson, who trailed 19-10.
Axel Iñigo was wide open for a long two at the 3:16 mark, and the Falcons got rolling from there. Brondial powered his way through the paint, while Jericho Cruz forced a couple of turnovers for easy layups. The duo combined for nine points in a 13-2 run, steering Adamson to a 23-21 lead after the first period.
Both teams traded baskets early in the second, until Romeo knotted the game at 30-apiece on a twisting semi-hook. FEU edged forward as Romeo played facilitator, feeding Raymar Jose and Roger Pogoy on transition tries. Don Trollano reclaimed the lead for Adamson though with bursts of quickness to the hoop, 37-36.
With under two minutes left, the Tamaraws restored their momentum as their guards looked to penetrate, while Adamson threw mostly blanks from long distance. Buying time from the charity stripe, FEU settled the half with a 44-40 at the break.
The Tamaraws shot at an impressive 18-of-30 (60 percent) clip, led by Romeo's 7-of-13 shooting. Meanwhile, the Falcons were 17-of-38 (44.7 percent) from the field. FEU trailed in the turnover spread (8-9) and led in turnover points (12-4).
Adamson's Rodney Brondial challenges the defense of FEU's Mac Belo and Gryann Mendoza. KC Cruz
Mac Belo took defenders off the dribble, scoring seven points in an ensuing 11-3 run, 55-45. This prompted the Falcons to call timeout at 5:24, but it brought no relief for the hosts, as Romeo burned them for six of FEU's next eight points, 63-45.
With three minutes to play, the Falcons retaliated, as Roider Cabrera and Harry Petilos connected from beyond the arc. Despite splitting four charities in the stretch, Adamson went on a 10-2 run before a Garcia drive kept FEU's lead at 12 points, 67-55, heading into the final period.
Adamson couldn't capitalize on their momentum, as poor defensive rotations betrayed them. The Tamaraws reestablished an 80-61 lead after a Romeo triple with under five minutes to play.
Cruz answered with a layup, and Adamson went for one last push by aggressively trapping the Tamaraws in the halfcourt. But FEU found ways to break through, and would lead by no less than 13 points until the final buzzer.
FEU finished the game with an efficient 37-of-66 (56.1 percent) from the floor and a league season-high 18 fast break points. In contrast, the Falcons were 31-of-69 (44.9 percent) from the field and scored 10 fast break points. Far Eastern U. also led in turnover points, 20-11.
The Tamaraws played without Anthony Hargrove, who served a one-game suspension for incurring a second unsportsmanlike foul during their duel with the UST Growling Tigers.
Don Trollano posted a career-high 25 points. Jericho Cruz was limited to 13 points on 6-of-17 shooting from the floor. Jansen Rios scattered 11 points, while Rodney Brondial notched nine points and 10 rebounds. - RAF, GMA News
The scores:
FEU 92: Romeo 32, Belo 18, Garcia 14, Cruz 8, Mendoza 7, Tolomia 5, Sentcheu 2, Pogoy 2, Lee Yu 2, Jose 2, Inigo 0, Luz 0, Dennison 0, Delfinado 0, Aguilon 0
ADU 80: Trollano 25, Cruz 13, Rios 11, Brondial 9, Inigo 7, Sewa 6, Petilos 3, Cabrera 3, Cabigas 2, Monteclaro 1, Ochea 0, Julkipli 9, Agustin 0
Quarter scoring: 23-21, 44-40, 67-55, 92-80
