(Ralph Samson / FCF)

Mike Tolomia started the game with two three-pointers, RR Garcia unleashed 12 points in the second, Terrence Romeo fired 10 points in the third, and Tolomia finished the game with two sensational layups.

Proving that fluid small ball offense is fashionable in Season 76, Far Eastern University surged to win number six with a 77-67 win against University of Santo Tomas in Sunday’s UAAP men’s basketball action at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Tamaraws, benching league’s leading scorer Romeo, converted seven three pointers in the first half, then relied on Romeo’s slashing game and inside conversions from forward Mark Belo as the Morayta-based team erected a six-point cushion at the end of the third, 62-56.

In the fourth quarter, the Tamaraws went amok in the open court initiated by the tandem of Garcia and Tolomia, who scored off fastbreak attempts.

On the defensive end, Belo and senior center Christian Sentcheu locked the doors against the Tigers’ frontline, limiting UST’s bigs Karim Abdul, Aljon Mariano, and Kevin Ferrer to only a basket each in the fourth quarter.

“Being at 6-0 has the same feeling as being at 1-0,” FEU head coach Nash Racela commented after the game. “Our offense is anchored on teamwork and I appreciate my players for making the extra pass. Clearly, they’re understanding their roles better in this game.”

All in all, the Tamaraws as a team issued 20 assists, which resulted in an impressive 53 per cent field goal clip from within the three-point arc.

The undefeated Tamaraws were led by Romeo, who topped with 19 points, while Garcia had 17 points and six assists, and Tolomia tallied 12 points and seven assists.

The Tigers, dropping at 3-2 in a tie for second with Adamson University, were were led by Abdul with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Ferrer added 18 points and seven rebounds.

(Ralph Samson / FCF)

In the first game, Kiefer Ravena scored his season high as Ateneo de Manila clawed University of the Philippines, 72-64, in part one of the “Battle of Katipunan.”

Ravena, still recovering from an ankle injury, scored nine in the third quarter off post-up plays, as the Eagles led by as much as 19, 57-38, in the quarter.

The Maroons then unleashed a late stance in an 8-0 scoring blitz by ex-Junior Maroon Tata Marata late in the fourth quarter, trimming the lead to eight but a two-handed alley-oop dunk by Ateneo forward Christopher Newsome from a lob pass by Juami Tiongson sealed the coffin for the winless Maroons.

“Those games na napahabol namin ang kalaban sa second half, natuto na kami dun,” commented Ravena after the game. “We started the third quarter strong by pounding UP inside and scoring on fastbreak attempts.”

The Eagles, still at solo seventh at 2-4, were led by Ravena with 15 points and Tiongson with nine points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

The Maroons, who continues to search for their first win after five games, were led by Marata with 22 points and Raul Soyud with eight points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks.

THE SCORES