FEU crushes UP for third straight win

By Anton Roxas Posted Jul 7th 2013

After trailing at halftime in their first two games of the tournament, Far Eastern University finally found the remedy to turn things around as they defeated the University of the Philippines 75-57 to attain their third straight win in as many games in the Men’s basketball tournament of UAAP Season 76 on Sunday, July 7, 2013 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Tamaraws started the contest with an early 10-2 advantage and led by twenty, 41-21 after two quarters. FEU’s biggest lead was at twenty nine points, 62-33 in the third period.

“We started well today compared to the first two games and that is something that we we’re trying to address,” said FEU Head Coach Nash Racela.

However, the Fighting Maroons responded with a 15-0 run to cut the deficit to fourteen, 62-48 early in the fourth period.

“We’re trying to guard against complacency. Pero natuwa ako when UP was making a run, RR (Garcia) and Terrence (Romeo) were calling plays for each other. We we’re able to settle down because of that,” said Racela.

Terrence Romeo continued his stellar play with a game-high 20 points to go along with 12 rebounds while RR Garcia contributed 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists.

6’11” Cameroonian Christian Sentcheu started at Center and made his presence felt defensively as he tallied 6 rebounds and swatted away 5 shots.

Despite coming off a game wherein he scored a career-high 21 points, UP’s ace guard Joseph Marata struggled for just 4 points as he played through a mildly sprained right ankle.

UP absorbed its third straight setback for an 0-3 record while FEU propelled themselves to the top of the team standings with a 3-0 win-loss card.

Box scores:

FEU 75 – Romeo 20, Garcia 15, Tolomia 10, Cruz 8, Mendoza 6, Jose 6, Belo 6, Iňigo 2, Aguilon 2, Sentcheu 0, Pogoy 0, Luz 0, Lee Yu 0, Hargrove 0, Delfinado 0.

UP 57 – Soyud 10, Ball 9, Lao 7, Amar 6, Wong 4, Marata 4, Gallarza 4, Desiderio 4, Gingerich 3, Suarez 2, Pascual 2, Asilum 2, Paras 0, Ligad 0, Harris 0.

Quarter scoring: 23-12, 41-21, 62-41, 75-57.