University of Perpetual Help System DALTA continued its unexpected surge, breaking away late to complete a 72-67 win against Arellano University in the NCAA Season 101 on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Mark Gojo Cruz and Patrick Sleat once again formed a one-two punch as the ALTAs swept the first cycle of Group A action with a 4-0 card while the Chiefs fell to a 1-2 card.
Sophomore ace Gojo Cruz scored 10 in the third period to finish with 13 points, four rebounds, one assist, and one block while Sleat posted 12 markers, including the dagger layup late in the fourth, alongside three boards, three blocks, one dime, and one steal as the ALTAs preserved their spotless run.
The win also allowed Perpetual to replicate its 4-0 start back in Season 91 in 2015, when Scottie Thompson and Bright Akhuetie were still leading the Las Piñas squad.
"Actually lahat ng games namin, kailangan pigain para manalo kami pero gano'n talaga sa NCAA e, gano'n ang kailangan, to play it possession by possession," Perpetual head coach Olsen Racela said.
They may be spotless right now, but the ALTAs still had to grind out every win, including this one over the feisty Chiefs.
After scoring just three points in the first half, Gojo Cruz dropped 10 in the third that included two triples to make it a 54-45 cushion while JM Tulabut converted back-to-back jumpers for a 63-53 lead early in the fourth.
But the Chiefs made multiple comebacks, including a 12-3 rampage behind the returning T-mc Ongotan and Basti Valencia to slice the gap to two with 1:32 left in the game, 65-67.
Sleat came up clutch anew, escaping the defense of Valencia to complete a tough layup and give Perpetual a four-point advantage, 69-65, before Shawn Orgo sank two freebies off an unsportsmanlike foul from Ongotan, 71-65.
Ongotan would slice through the Perpetual defense for a layup for another desperate fightback, but the ALTAs held on to cruise to their fourth victory in as many games and remain as the only unbeaten team in the league.
Ongotan, who sat out last game due to a one-game suspension, paced Arellano with 20 points, five rebounds, two assists, four steals, and one block while Valencia chipped in 10 markers.
Scores:
Perpetual 72 – Gojo Cruz 13, Sleat 12, Alcantara 11, Boral 8, Orgo 7, Casinilio 7, Tulabut 6, Nuñez 4, Abis 2, Maglupay 2, Pagulayan 0, Guibao 0,
Arellano 67 – Ongotan 20, Valencia 10, Vinoya 8, Libang 6, Hernal 6, Geronimo 5, Camay 4, Borromeo 4, Cabotaje 2, Acop 2, Buenaventura 0, Abiera 0, Langit 0, Anama 0.
Quarters: 15-18, 41-32, 58-49, 72-67.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
