Rookie Romeo explodes as FEU remains perfect in UAAP

Terrence Romeo is back to his gun-slinging ways. Romeo, the record-holder for most points scored in a single game in the junior’s division while playing for the Far Eastern University’s junior squad, played his most productive game in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament. He finished with 21 points in leading the Morayta-based dribblers to a 94-70 rout of the University of the Philippines Maroons Sunday at the Philsports Arena. The newest-breed Tamaraw, who once knocked in 83 points in the junior ranks, torched the Fighting Maroons’ defense for 18 minutes, much to the delight of FEU coach Glen Capacio. "I'm happy, he played well," Capacio said. "I hope he keeps this same type of play in the coming games because it would a big help for us, especially at the guard spot." Romeo’s eruption came at a perfect time. The Tamaraws squandered a 20-point lead, but Romeo stepped up and picked up the offensive slack for his team. He made 6-of-9 from the field and also had four assists and two steals. Last year, Romeo caught the fancy of local basketball circuit when he shattered the old scoring mark in the UAP juniors division previously held by Paolo Mendoza, who is now playing in the Philippine Basketball Association. Curiously, Romeo was able to do it against UP’s high school squad – the UP Integrated School. Romeo was like a ticking time bomb ready to explode. And explode he did against the Fighting Maroons, whose defense is focused on starting guard RR Garcia. "Maybe because the defense was collapsing on RR (Garcia), so I'm glad I was able to step up," said Romeo, an 18-year old Sports and Recreational Management student at FEU. Martin Reyes hit back-to-back triples as UP pulled to within 59-52 in the third, before Romeo hit shot after shot to shove the Tamaraws on safer ground. It was the fourth win in as many outings for FEU, which remained as the only unbeaten squad in the tournament. It was also the best start for the Tamaraws since 2005, the same year when they also won their last title. The team, then bannered by Arwind Santos, coasted to a seven-game sweep of the first round and kept the Tamaraws in high spirit all the way to winning the crown. Veteran big man Reil Cervantes registered 18 points, four rebounds and four assists while Garcia added 11 points, six rebounds and two steals. Guard Chris Exciminiano tallied 10 points and five boards while center Aldrech Ramos scored all of his nine points in the first quarter in a display of balance firepower by the Tamaraws. The Fighting Maroons absorbed their fourth straight setback. Controversy hounded the squad after its head coach, Aboy Castro, went on an indefinite leave, and his place was taken over by former Sta. Lucia champion coach and now UP team consultant Boyet Fernandez. - RCJ, GMANews.TV