MANILA, Philippines - Terrence Romeo delivered in the clutch as Far Eastern U survived a tough-fighting University of the Philippines, 80-76, in overtime for its second victory in the 2011 Filoil Flying V Hanes Pre-season Premier Cup at the Arena yesterday. Romeo hit a triple to force the extension then came through with a drive-in play and dished off an assist in the stretch as the Tams survived the Maroons to seize the solo lead in Group B.
UP overhauled a 10-point third-quarter deficit and gave FEU a big scare when it grabbed a 72-69 lead with 9.9 seconds left in regulation.
“UP was last the past season and FEU was runner up so we knew that they (Maroons), will be coming in with 101 percent aggressiveness and intensity that we had to match,” said FEU coach Bert Flores in Filipino.
The Maroons dropped to 1-1.
Romeo led the way with 17 points, highlighted by a game-tying triple in the last 2.7 seconds of the fourth, and a layup that put FEU ahead, 78-74 with 1:58 left in extra period. He also made five assists, including one to rookie Chris Tolomia underneath that gave the Tams an 80-74 cushion, 1:58 left in the contest.
“Defense and rebounding did it for us,” said Flores, whose wards pulled down 57 boards, including 23 off the offensive glass.
JR Cawaling and RR Garcia added 15 apiece. Aldrech Ramos shot 10 and hauled 12 rebounds in his first game after being released by Smart Gilas Pilipinas back to FEU.
San Beda pummelled a debuting Lyceum, 99-57, in a physical game that saw the ejection of LPU’s Allan Santos and SBC’s Ola Adeogun.
The Red Lions evened their card at 2-2 in Group A while Onofre Napiza led the Pirates with 16 points.
Luigi dela Paz (15 points) and Joseph Marata (11 points) fired two triples apiece in a 17-4 windup that lifted La Salle to a 74-61 win over Arellano in the third game.
The Archers improved to 1-1 while the Chiefs suffered their second straight setback.
Olmin Leyba, Philippine Star
