Veterans Kim Aurin and Jielo Razon took care of business as University of Perpetual Help System DALTA remained in contention for the NCAA Season 97 play-in with a 72-69 victory over Lyceum of the Philippines University on Sunday.
The win was important for Perpetual as it improved its standing to 3-5 to keep itself in the hunt while Lyceum dropped to 2-6 card.
Aurin scored 22 points, including three triples, while Razon added 14 for the Altas.
After Aurin took the scoring cudgels in the first, Razon and Jef Egan steered the team in the second canto, fueling a 9-2 run to open the frame for a 32-24 lead.
Lyceum, however, stayed within striking distance all thanks to Yancy Remulla and Mclaude Guadana as they trailed by just five points at the break, 36-41.
The Pirates continued to pound on the Altas in the third, regaining the lead, 48-46, following a 12-5 blitz to open the frame. But with three consecutive offensive fouls from their side, the lead swung back to Perpetual at the conclusion of the period, 55-52.
Aurin again took charge in the fourth after nailing a triple that gave them a 63-55 cushion but Lyceum was able to chop down the deficit to just three, 64-67.
Aurin and Razon conspired for back-to-back baskets that gave Perpetual a much-needed 72-67 upper hand with 1:31 left to spare en route to the win.
Also contributing for the Altas were Cris Pagaran, who had 12 points and seven boards, and Rey Barcuma with seven points and three assists.
Omar Larupay led Lyceum with a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds alongside three blocks.
Renzo Navarro, Mclaude Guadana, and Yancy Remulla each chipped in with nine markers for the Pirates.
Perpetual still has one assignment left in the elimination round on Friday against Emilio Aguinaldo College while Lyceum goes up against streaking Mapua University on Wednesday.
The scores:
Perpetual 72 - Aurin 22, Razon 14, Pagaran 12, Barcuma 7, Cuevas 5, Martel 4, Egan 4, Movida 3, Boral 1, Abis 0, Omega 0, Sevilla 0.
Lyceum 69 - Larupay 17, Navarro 9, Guadana 9, Remulla 9, Bravo 8, Valdez 6, Cunanan 4, Umali 4, Guinto 2, Barba 1, Garro 0.
Quarters: 23-22, 41-36, 55-52, 72-69.
—JMB, GMA News
