Tamaraws outlast Warriors in double OT to snap skid

Even without top gun RR Garcia, Far Eastern University found a way to outlast University of the East in a marathon match Sunday night.

The Tamaraws blew a big 17-point lead in the fourth period but hung tough in the stretch to eke out a crucial 98-94 double-overtime win over the Red Warriors and get back on track in UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball action at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

More than repeating over UE following its 89-78 win in the opener last June 29, FEU also snapped a two-game slide and tightened its grip on the top spot with its eighth win in 10 starts.

UE, which even led by seven in the first overtime, visibly ran out of steam and eventually saw its four-game winning run come to a halt while slipping into fourth spot with a 5-4 mark alongside reigning five-time titlist Ateneo.

Prolific guard Terrence Romeo flourished throughout for the Tams with a career-high 30 points, including 10 in the extended periods, while seven other teammates tallied at least five markers to help fill the scoring slack left by Garcia, good for 13.9 points but serving a one-game suspension for incurring two unsportsmanlike fouls.

The Tamaraws led 65-48 early in the fourth period, but the Warriors unleashed a closing 22-5 run, capped by a Ralf Olivares triple with 50 ticks left that tied it at 70. In the first overtime, the Warriors appeared to have wrapped up the come-from--behind win, leading 84-77 with less than 30 ticks left. But Romeo hit a layup and Mac Bello came up with a steal and triple to cut it to two, and after Roi Sumang split his charities with 11 seconds left, Mike Tolomia buried a triple with 3.1 ticks remaining to force a second extension period.

Interestingly, the Tams also remained unbeaten in overtime games this season, going three-for-three. FEU initially won an extended game against Ateneo 79-75 last July 3 then followed it up with an 83-79 win over La Salle ten days after.

Roi Sumang and Ralf Olivares combined for 46 points while Sierra Leone native Charles Mammie hauled down a season-high 27 rebounds on top of his 17 markers but the Red Warriors still ran out of gas in the stretch.
 
The Main Man: As expected, Terrence Romeo answered the bell in the absence of backcourt buddy RR Garcia.

The fourth-year guard waxed hot with 30 points, including five big markers in the second overtime that turned an 87-91 deficit into a four-point cushion going to the final two minutes.
Aside from draining four of the team’s season high 14 triples, Romeo also came through with seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.
 
Honorable Mention: Without Garcia, southpaw shooter Gryann Mendoza provided the needed offensive production with 15 points, including four big triples, on top of 13 rebounds and three assists.

Also giving the Tams’ ample support was reserve guard Axel Inigo, who only had six points but issued six assists while capping his defensive assignment on UE’s main man Roi Sumang with a big block in the crunch.
 
Game Turning Point: In a match that seemed to have no end, the Tams unleashed their second wind by turning a four-point hole into a 95-91 cushion capped by a Romeo triple going to the final 2:07.

UE, however, still pulled within one courtesy of three charities, the last two off Gino Jumao-as, that kept their chances very much alive inside the final minute.

The Tams then proved steadier, with Mike Tolomia issuing a timely drop-pass to Anthony Hargrove who made an easy lay-in for a 97-94 cushion.

After FEU forced a jumpball at centercourt, Hargrove was deliberately fouled by Adrian Santos and split his charities that virtually pegged the final count wit 12.9 ticks left.

The diminutive Inigo then capped FEU’s big win by blocking Sumang’s last-gasp attempt from beyond the arc.
 
They Said It:
FEU coach Nash Racela: “The players didn’t give up. I told them nothing is impossible. I’m just so happy because they believed in me. I’m so proud of them. This is the first time I said that. I’m really so, so proud of them.”
 
FEU guard Terrence Romeo: “Ni-remind ko sila na kailangan namin mag-step up lalo ‘yung mga bench players namin.”
 
The scores:
FEU (98) - Romeo 30, Mendoza 15, Tolomia 13, Hargrove 12, Cruz 9, Inigo 6, Belo 6, Pogoy 5, Sentcheu 2, Lee Yu 0, Delfinado 0, Aguilon 0.
UE (94) - Sumang 25, Olivares 21, Mammie 17, Noble 11, Santos 6, Jumao-as 5, Casajeros 4, Galanza 3, Javier 2, Olayon 0, Sumido 0, Hernandez 0, Guion 0, Flores 0, Alverto 0.

Quarterscores: 25-13, 42-31, 59-46, 70-70, 85-85, 98-94.