July 26 Recap: NU beats UP, FEU edges Adamson

UAAP Games last Thursday, July 26, 2012, Smart Araneta Coliseum
Photos by Mark Cristino

First Game - NU Bulldogs versus UP Maroons

Bobby Ray Parks, Jr.'s put back slam
in the first quarter

They never had a chance to win, but the UP Fighting Maroons showed the National University that they can at least frustrate them. UP held NU without a field goal in the first five minutes of the third quarter and allowed only five points up to the 2:00 mark in the fourth quarter, but the Maroons failed to make their shots and trim their turnovers, allowing the Bulldogs to win, 67-50.

NU led at the half, 42-18, when UP's defense clicked, limiting the Bulldogs to only 10 points in the third quarter. The Maroons only managed the same number of points though, and they entered the fourth quarter facing the same 24-point deficit, with the Bulldogs leading, 52-28.

With NU relaxing in the fourth quarter, the Maroons managed to trim the lead to 16 points, 57-41, with 4.33 remaining, but couldn't gain momentum as three UP players (Ball, Hipolito, Soyud) fouled out trying to contain the Bulldogs.

NU's Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. had 18 points to lead all scorers, while teammate Emmanuel Mbe had 17. Mike Silungan and Jet Manuel each had 11 points for UP.

Notes:

• Jelo Montecastro of UP, one of the best point guards in the league, is in his final year of playing in the UAAP. Tall, tough, and a good decision-maker, it's sad that he didn't have enough talent around him. He might become a good pro if he manages to add more range to his shot.
• NU is not an elite team until they get a good point guard who can create shots and dish to the open man. Bobby Ray tried to play as a facilitator in the second half, finishing with six assists, but he needs to roam the floor and create trouble without the ball.

First Game Scores:
NU 67—Parks 18, Mbe 17, Javillonar 9, Roño 7, Alolino 6, Villamor 4, Ignacio 4, De Guzman 2, Singh 0, Rosaio 0, Neypes 0, Labing-isa 0. Betayene 0.

UP 50—Silungan 11, Manuel 11, Montecastro 10, Ball 4, Lopez 4, Hipolito 4, Asilum 4, Soyud 2, Mbah 0, Romero 0, Padilla 0, Gamboa 0.

Quarters: 16-10, 42-18, 52-28, 67-50

Second Game - FEU Tamaraws versus Adamson Falcons

Adamson's Brondial (partially covered)
and FEU's Hargrove (15) exchanging
sweet nothings

Adamson wanted some payback for the two straight losses that FEU gave them in last year's Final Four, but Terrence Romeo wouldn't allow it. The former rookie of the year had a game-high 23 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out six assists as the Tamaraws hacked out another thrilling win by edging the Falcons, 65-62.

FEU led by six early in the fourth quarter after Tamaraws point guard RR Garcia made a long three-point shot and Romeo completed a fastbreak, but Adamson center Rodney Brondial had four straight points and shooting guard Marc Etrone made a three-point shot to give the Falcons a one-point lead, 58-57, with 4.44 remaining.

FEU shooting guard Cris Tolomia responded with his own three and a two-point basket, giving back the lead to the Tamaraws, 62-58, with 3:42 remaining. Adamson power forward Eric Camson had a layup to make it a two-point game with 2.36 left, but Romeo drove to the hoop for two points, and got fouled by Etrone, who suffered an injury and didn't come back to the game.

Romeo converted the free throw to give FEU a five-point cushion, 65-60, with 2:13 remaining.

Adamson then had several failed possessions, highlighted by two missed free throws by point guard Jericho Cruz with a minute remaining.

Garcia then missed a three-point shot with 35 seconds remaining, and Camson converted two free throws to cut FEU's lead to three, 65-62.

FEU lost the ball with 16.4 seconds remaining, and Adamson forward RR Cabrera had the chance to send the game to overtime, but failed to convert a three-point shot, allowing the Tamaraws to escape with another close victory.

Adamson's Etrone top scored for the Falcons with 13.

Notes:

• High-flying Adamson forward Alex Nuyles, one of the best scorers in the UAAP, scored only two points while spending most of the game on the bench. He had 12 points in their previous game.
• Brondial and FEU's Hargrove were getting on each other's nerves most of the game, resulting in very physical plays.
• FEU now leads the UAAP with a 3-0 slate, and have won their games by an average of two points.

• 

  Terrence Romeo wants a kiss

  In the TV broadcast, one of the courtside reporters said that FEU coach Bert Flores said something to the effect that his players 'need to concentrate on the game and not their good looks (bawasan ang pagpapagwapo, maglaro na lang).' Terrence Romeo was caught on camera afterward fixing his hair before entering the game.

Second Game Scores:

FEU 65—Romeo 23, Garcia 12, Belo 9, Tolomia 6, Escoto 5, Hargrove 4, A. Bringas 4, M. Bringas 2, Pogoy 0, Cruz 0.

ADAMSON 62—Etrone 13, Camson 11, Brondial 11, Cruz 8, Petilos 7, Cabrera 4, Abrigo 4, Trollano 2, Nuyles 2, Rios 0, Monteclaro 0, Julkipli 0, Agustin 0.
Quarters: 15-15, 35-28, 50-49, 65-62