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The TNT KaTropa star was blistering hot in the first half, scoring 26 of his 48 points in the first two quarters that saw national team shot 60-percent from the field.
With Romeo leading the way, the Smart All-Stars led by as much as 20 numerous times in the third period.
Luzon mounted numerous runs late in the game and even cut the deficit to as low as four, 148-138 after back-to-back triples from Arwind Santos in the last 1:22.
But June Mar Fajardo scored five straight points to quash that run and give his side a 152-144 before Luzon tried one last uprising.
LA Tenorio, though, would muff the potential game-tying triple in the waning seconds as the Smart All-Stars have now leveled the series to one game apiece.
The third leg, which is presented by Phoenix Fuel with Phoenix Pulse Technology, is slated in Ilo-ilo on Sunday.
Romeo, who was adjudged as the All-Star Game MVP, went 7-of-16 from threes, to go with nine assists and five rebounds.
Fajardo also got 26 points and 13 rebounds, Troy Rosario got 20 points and nine boards, while Roger Pogoy had 17.
Jio Jalalon recorded only the second triple-double in All-Star Game history with his 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, following the footsteps of Willie Miller who did the feat in 2007.
Coach Yeng Guiao did a great job on his rotation even after his eight-man rotation went down to just seven after Allein Maliksi suffered an apparent ankle sprain early in the game.
Japeth Aguilar led Luzon All-stars with 41 points and 12 rebounds, while Calvin Abueva and Santos both had 23.
The Scores:
SMART ALL-STARS 152 -- Romeo 48, Fajardo 26, Rosario 20, Pogoy 17, Norwood 13, Jalalon 12, Belo 10, Maliksi 2.
LUZON ALL-STARS 149 -- Aguilar 41, Abueva 23, Santos 23, Cabagnot 13, Tenorio 12, Castro 7, Lassiter 5, Wright 3, Almazan 2, Pringle 0.
Quarters: 47-38, 86-70, 121-106, 152-149.
SOURCE: https://www.pba.ph/news/romeo-smart-all-stars-sink-luzon-all-stars
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