The University of Perpetual Help System DALTA overcame a slow start and pulled off a come-from-behind victory against Emilio Aguinaldo College, 69-60, in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
The Altas erased an early 29-15 deficit in the second quarter, outscoring the Generals 22-13 in the frame to trail by just one at halftime, 38-37. The tight contest continued in the second half, with both teams locked at 60-all with under three minutes left in the fourth period.
John Abis then sparked a decisive 9-0 run, scoring four points during that stretch, to seal Perpetual’s second straight win.
“Ang daming mistakes in the first half, lalo na defensively. ‘Yun ang cinorrect namin during the halftime break. One mistake compounded by another mistake, tapos foul trouble pa sina Patrick Sleat at si [Mark] Gojo [Cruz]. Anyway, it happens,” said Perpetual head coach Olsen Racela.
“‘Yun ang sinasabi ko sa kanila, it’s how we play in spite of the hardships or ‘yung pinagdadaanan sa game. Maganda ang pinakita nila. They reacted well, we buckled down on defense, and we made stops in the second half.”
Abis once again led the Altas with 15 points, eight rebounds, and a steal. Gojo Cruz and JP Boral chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively, as Perpetual improved to 6-1 in Group A.
Wilmar Oftana paced the Generals with 18 points, while Deo Lucero and Jude Bagay added 12 and 10 points, respectively. EAC, which played without head coach Jerson Cabiltes due to a prior commitment, slipped to 3-4 in Group B.
On Saturday, Perpetual will take on De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, while EAC will face Lyceum of the Philippines University.
Scores:
Perpetual Help 69 – Abis 15, Gojo Cruz 12, Boral 10, Nuñez 9, Sleat 7, Casinilio 5, Tulabut 4, Maglupay 3, Alcantara 2, Duremdes 2, Orgo 0, Pagulayan 0, Gelsano 0.
EAC 60 – Oftana 18, Lucero 12, Bagay 10, Quinal 5, Angeles 5, Castillo 4, Loristo 3, Ochavo 2, Omandac 1, Bacud 0, Shanoda 0, Tolentino 0.
Quarters: 15-25, 37-38, 54-52, 69-60.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
