FEU wins UAAP Season 76 Game One opener

Gian Franco, Socio-Political Editor |

Pasay City, Manila – Far Eastern University guard Terrence Romeo sank in 23 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists to slam University of the East off the court on their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 76 first round basketball game opener, 89-78, at the Mall of Asia Arena last Saturday.

Romeo cut through the lane to deliver an open lay-up, sparking a critical period 40-40 tied 7:49 left in the third quarter after the UE Warriors finished the first half by a 5-point lead. Red Warriors dropped the early 10-point lead on the first quarter on FEU forward player Mark Belo, who made a three-point contested shot before UE forward John Noble, forcing a narrowed 29-37 lead on the remaining 1:06 to 32-37 in the end of the second quarter.

FEU center Anthony Hargrove added 11 points and 6 rebounds, while guard Ryan Roose Garcia contributed 18 points, three rebounds and assists during his 28 minutes play time on the paint.

Tamaraws rallied on the fourth quarter as Romeo nailed down on the rim while Garcia hit the jumper for two three-pointers to clinch the win against Warriors 80-66 with 3:58 remaining for a 14-point lead.

Michael Tolomia, Tamaraw guard, posted a layup on the third quarter, 61-56, averaging 8 points, 2 of 7 three-point field goals, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in the game.

UE Red Warriors caught the early 10-point lead against the Tamaraws on the first quarter with 16.9 seconds left, 21-11 in front of 17,985 audience.

Guard Roi Sumang of the Warriors totaled 22 points, three assists, and five rebounds. Lord Casajeros added eight points, six rebounds and three steals while Noble scored seven points, but failed to block a crucial three-point jumper to spoil a 32-37 on the second quarter.

Sumang lifted 2 points to the rim on the second quarter against FEU guard Carl Cruz to score 50-52 but failed to advance when Romeo hit the three-point line followed by a lay-up from Tolomia that ended the third quarter. Ralf Olivares scored 17 points and 3 rebounds, who tied the second quarter to 25-35 during 1:53 on the remaining regulation.

He also delivered a lay-up to narrow down Tamaraw’s lead on the last 3 minutes of the game but went worse to 11-point deficit game to end the opener.

Quarter Scores:

 11-21, 32-37, 61-56, 89-78