FEU squandered most of a 20-point advantage in the fourth period but found a way to survive the hard-charging NU Bulldogs, 87-83, to stay undefeated in UAAP Season 76 Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Tamaraws entered the fourth quarter with a 68-48 lead and were ahead, 81-62, with 4:41 remaining when the Bulldogs began exploiting their advantage on the offensive gl(–foul word(s) removed–) and scored on multiple second-chance opportunities en route to a furious 16-1 run that brought NU within four, 82-78, inside the final minute.
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But FEU’s top scorer Terrence Romeo finished on a layup to give the Tams some breathing room, 84-78, and he and RR Garcia sank free throws that staved off the Bulldogs’ charge.
Romeo finished with a team-high 24 points to keep his streak of 20-point games going. He has scored 20 or more in all five of FEU’s games this season.
Veterans Carl Bryan Cruz and Gryann Mendoza scored 13 and 10 points, respectively for FEU. Garcia added nine points.
FEU improved to a league-best 5-0 while NU dropped down to 3-2.
FEU waxed hot from three, knocking down 15 three-pointers, the last on a Cruz trey with 5:32 remaining that gave them a 19-point edge, 79-60, midway through the final period.
But they were held scoreless for about five minutes before Romeo broke the drought with a layup from the left side of the court.
Emmanuel Mbe dominated the fourth quarter, scoring 15 points in the last 10 minutes on multiple offensive rebounds as he spearheaded the NU comeback.
NU’s Joeffrey Javillonar countered the Romeo layup with a quick two of his own. After Garcia could only get a split from the free throw line, Robin Rono hit a triple that got NU within two, 85-83, with just 8.8 seconds remaining.
But Romeo sealed it with two more makes from the charity stripe.
Mbe finished with 27 points and 16 rebounds while two-time UAAP MVP Bobby Ray Parks had 26 points and eight rebounds. With NU’s defeat the team is currently ranked 3rd in team standing with 3-2 win-loss record.