CEBUANO cager Syd Reroma provided leadership at crunchtime and helped lift the Nazareth School-National University Bullpups to an 82-70 overtime triumph over the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws on Sunday in at the Fil-EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
The 18-year-old Reroma scored only six points, but his contribution kept the Bullpups in second spot with their sixth triumph in eight outings at the start of the second round of the 86th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.
Reroma’s baskets included two charities and a jumper in the 2:22 mark of extended time, shattering a 67-all regulation time deadlock and touching off a 9-0 blast that handed the Bullpups a decisive 76-67 edge in the final 1:14.
“Credit to the boys. We were leading pero nag-relax. ‘Yun, bumawi. Last 30 seconds, sabi ko ‘wag bibitaw. Ito ngayon ay naging magandang experience para sa kanila,” said Bullpups’ coach Kevin de Castro.
Top MVP candidate Collins Akowe and Mac Mac Alfanta went on to lead the Bullpups with 16 points, with Akowe finishing with a double-double off his 24 rebounds.
It was Akowe’s two charities in the last 27 seconds which sent the game into overtime, 67-all.
The Baby Tamaraws, who dropped to a share of fourth at 4-4 with the University of the East and Ateneo, drew 25 points from Veejay Pro.
The Bullpups’ big win came as the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs downed the solo leading Adamson University Junior Falcons, 67-64.
Koji Buenaflor’s floater handed the Tiger Cubs a 67-62 lead with 25.4 seconds remaining and pushed UST up in third with their 5-3 slate, while handing Adamson its first setback.
Andrei Dungo led UST with 21 points, while Vince Reyes topped Adamson with 19.
John Edry Alejandro made 17 points for the UE Squires, who walloped La Salle Zobel, 84-78.
Chris Urbino banged in 19 points for the Blue Eaglets in their 70-55 edging of the University of the Philippines Integrated School Junior Maroons.
The Bullpups, who next meet the Blue Eaglets on Wednesday, also drew 15 points from Migs Palanca.