UE Red Warriors vs FEU Tamaraws

Perked up by a new opening for the No. 2 playoffs seeding, Far Eastern University trounced University of the East, 78-69, to advance to the Final Four of the UAAP Season 74 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The third-running Tams went to their vaunted backcourt of Terrence Romeo (two triples) and RR Garcia (four treys), who fired identical 21 points, to hike their record to 8-4, just half a game behind No. 2 Adamson’s 9-4.

“We were buoyed up by the loss of Adamson to UST on Saturday because this gave us a fresh shot at the No. 2. I told the boys we have to embrace this chance and work on it,” said FEU coach Bert Flores, whose wards racked up their fourth straight win.

Gradually bouncing after an error-filled stint in the first round, Romeo gave his best performance this season with a tally that matched his career high. Romeo shot 14 in the first half, joining forces with Garcia’s (13 at halftime) in powering FEU to double-digit leads.

 “His mistakes in the early goings, especially his costly error against Ateneo, served as lesson for him. We’re telling him to stay positive and forget the past,” said Flores of Romeo.

Flores said they concentrated on shutting down Paul Zamar (12) and John Noble (11), the offensive anchors of UE (2-11), while being unselfish on the firing end.

“Defense was good especially against Zamar and Noble, at the same time, there was good ball movement and many extra passes,” said Flores, whose wards dished off 17 assists, led by Jens Knuttel who had five in a seven-minute job. – Olmin Leyba