Basketball
FEU squeaks by Adamson to climb to top of standings
InterAKTV/Roy Afable
Far Eastern University survived another tough ordeal in its campaign, this time escaping with a 65-62 win against Adamson to top the standings of UAAP Season 75 Thursday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Having the lead in the dying seconds of the game, the Tamaraws lost the ball on an inbound play that gave the Falcons the chance to tie the game. But forward Roider Cabrera missed the triple that could have toppled FEU, which now leads the team standings with an immaculate 3-0 record.
FEU also survived close victories in their first two games. The Tamaraws relied on the heroics of star guard RR Garcia in their 73-72 win over University of Santo Tomas two weeks ago, then leaned on a game-winning jumper by Michael Tolomia to snatch a 48-46 triumph over La Salle last Sunday.
Despite their third straight victory, FEU coach Bert Flores remains unconvinced with the way they won their games so far.
“Hindi pa rin ito yung hinahanap namin,” said Flores. “Kahit kailan hindi kami yung nag-dictate ng tempo.”
After trailing by 10 in the second quarter, Adamson fought back as guard Harry Petilos sank a layup to give Adamson a 51-50 lead at the start of the fourth quarter. The game went back-and-forth since then, with Adamson answering every FEU assault.
But things finally went the Tamaraws’ way when Terrence Romeo stole the ball and scored a three-point play at the 2:18 mark of the final period that gave FEU the lead late in the game.
Romeo exploded for 23 points, 14 in the first half, and eight rebounds to lead the Tamaraws. Garcia also chipped in 12 points.
Allen Etrone fired 13 points while Eric Camson and John Brondial scored 11 points each to lead Adamson, which missed the offense of Alex Nuyles, who was limited to just two points.
